by liberal japonicus
Cracking open a new thread from the recent comments about John McCain's no vote. Some interesting things in the comments about this, which I will let others expand on, but two links from Nigel and wonkie.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/mccain-goes-high/535218/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/joe-biden-john-mccain_us_597cb903e4b0da64e8797fa9
Please play the ball, not the man, I have a feeling that the latter will be easy to fall into, so try your best not to.
Long time lurker (8 years), first time poster …
I find McCain’s foreign policy impulses odious almost to the point of immoral. He’s also been a loyal Pub soldier far too reliably to really earn the “Maverick” tag.
But give the guy his due. Whether it was poking his finger in the eye of Trump or a come to Jesus moment spurred by his recent cancer diagnosis, that was a clutch “no” vote.
As an aside, as funny as I find this:
https://twitter.com/funder/status/890938602347167746/video/1
I wonder if this was Kabuki theater. McConnell had to know that if the skinny repeal went through the House without going to conference (and Ryan was not able/not willing to give complete assurances that it wouldn’t), then this would have been a political disaster. McCain probably did the Pubs a favor.
Hopefully the Dems will listen to their backbenchers and push out proposals for fixing ObamaCare. We don’t need leadership playing cute here with the politics when there is a policy crises that needs addressing.
Long time lurker (8 years), first time poster …
I find McCain’s foreign policy impulses odious almost to the point of immoral. He’s also been a loyal Pub soldier far too reliably to really earn the “Maverick” tag.
But give the guy his due. Whether it was poking his finger in the eye of Trump or a come to Jesus moment spurred by his recent cancer diagnosis, that was a clutch “no” vote.
As an aside, as funny as I find this:
https://twitter.com/funder/status/890938602347167746/video/1
I wonder if this was Kabuki theater. McConnell had to know that if the skinny repeal went through the House without going to conference (and Ryan was not able/not willing to give complete assurances that it wouldn’t), then this would have been a political disaster. McCain probably did the Pubs a favor.
Hopefully the Dems will listen to their backbenchers and push out proposals for fixing ObamaCare. We don’t need leadership playing cute here with the politics when there is a policy crises that needs addressing.
Welcome, Pollo de muerte. I saw that this is happening. I’m glad they’re working on something. I have no hope that anything gets done until D’s retake Congress (if that’s possible).
Welcome, Pollo de muerte. I saw that this is happening. I’m glad they’re working on something. I have no hope that anything gets done until D’s retake Congress (if that’s possible).
I think McCain booted the way I would have expected him to.
It was primarily theater. The changes that need to be done to the ACA ready can’t be done through reconciliation. (I don’t think it will be done at all, that’s another story). So individual Republicans can say that they fulfilled their promise except for the Dems and those three, but Dems still own the failing system.
Politically probably a stalemate by election time.
And that was as much McCains calculus as anything else.
I think McCain booted the way I would have expected him to.
It was primarily theater. The changes that need to be done to the ACA ready can’t be done through reconciliation. (I don’t think it will be done at all, that’s another story). So individual Republicans can say that they fulfilled their promise except for the Dems and those three, but Dems still own the failing system.
Politically probably a stalemate by election time.
And that was as much McCains calculus as anything else.
>>Politically probably a stalemate by election time.
That depends on how you define “stalemate”. Rank and file Trump voters were not really that motivated by ACA repeal but the big money donors were. Where the Pubs could suffer a net loss is in the money game. Wealthy Pub donors are more likely to be horrified by Trump and are now fatigued by three consecutive elections where they were told that the Pubs just needed a little more control and they could kill ACA. Some of them are having buyer’s remorse.
If Trump actually gets his tax plan through which (a) I doubt, but (b) really slams upper middle income earners, then the Pubs will lose some of that group of mid-level donors as well.
I agree that the reconciliation process was not going to fix the ACA. The problem in the Senate is that we don’t have enough vulnerable Pubs running in ’18 who need to appear bipartisan to get to 60.
>>Politically probably a stalemate by election time.
That depends on how you define “stalemate”. Rank and file Trump voters were not really that motivated by ACA repeal but the big money donors were. Where the Pubs could suffer a net loss is in the money game. Wealthy Pub donors are more likely to be horrified by Trump and are now fatigued by three consecutive elections where they were told that the Pubs just needed a little more control and they could kill ACA. Some of them are having buyer’s remorse.
If Trump actually gets his tax plan through which (a) I doubt, but (b) really slams upper middle income earners, then the Pubs will lose some of that group of mid-level donors as well.
I agree that the reconciliation process was not going to fix the ACA. The problem in the Senate is that we don’t have enough vulnerable Pubs running in ’18 who need to appear bipartisan to get to 60.
>>I have no hope that anything gets done until D’s retake Congress (if that’s possible).
I agree, but I think it’s vitally important to make a good faith effort to put something out there. Just being against Trump/Pubs isn’t enough.
>>I have no hope that anything gets done until D’s retake Congress (if that’s possible).
I agree, but I think it’s vitally important to make a good faith effort to put something out there. Just being against Trump/Pubs isn’t enough.
Just being against Trump/Pubs isn’t enough.
the GOP’s message has been essentially nothing but reaction for a decade now, and they’re doing fine.
the Dems should try ideas and proposals? Clinton had volumes of ideas and proposals, nobody cared, nobody even believes it.
Just being against Trump/Pubs isn’t enough.
the GOP’s message has been essentially nothing but reaction for a decade now, and they’re doing fine.
the Dems should try ideas and proposals? Clinton had volumes of ideas and proposals, nobody cared, nobody even believes it.
>>the GOP’s message has been essentially nothing but reaction for a decade now, and they’re doing fine.
A few thoughts … (1) there is general fatigue regarding reactionary politics, especially amongst the persuadables; (2) Pubs were doing fine; (3) reactionary politics goes hand in glove with anger and resentment; libs and progs don’t take to anger/resentment as well as conservatives and certainly don’t sustain it as well in my experience.
>>the Dems should try ideas and proposals? Clinton had volumes of ideas and proposals, nobody cared, nobody even believes it.
Clinton had baggage and even as a sympathetic voter, I thought her stated position on free trade (TPP) was disingenuous and had little confidence that her programs would be implemented either because (a) the programs were presented for political purposes; or (b) she would be facing a hostile Congress and/or lack a mandate to get anything done.
I voted for Clinton because I had confidence she’d keep the country between the ditches in terms of foreign policy (in spite of my concerns that she’d be too interventionist) and the alternatives were horrible. Her ideas and policies didn’t factor because I assumed they wouldn’t see the light of day.
Just because Clinton was an imperfect messenger for various policies does not mean that the Dems should abandon a policy-heavy approach.
>>the GOP’s message has been essentially nothing but reaction for a decade now, and they’re doing fine.
A few thoughts … (1) there is general fatigue regarding reactionary politics, especially amongst the persuadables; (2) Pubs were doing fine; (3) reactionary politics goes hand in glove with anger and resentment; libs and progs don’t take to anger/resentment as well as conservatives and certainly don’t sustain it as well in my experience.
>>the Dems should try ideas and proposals? Clinton had volumes of ideas and proposals, nobody cared, nobody even believes it.
Clinton had baggage and even as a sympathetic voter, I thought her stated position on free trade (TPP) was disingenuous and had little confidence that her programs would be implemented either because (a) the programs were presented for political purposes; or (b) she would be facing a hostile Congress and/or lack a mandate to get anything done.
I voted for Clinton because I had confidence she’d keep the country between the ditches in terms of foreign policy (in spite of my concerns that she’d be too interventionist) and the alternatives were horrible. Her ideas and policies didn’t factor because I assumed they wouldn’t see the light of day.
Just because Clinton was an imperfect messenger for various policies does not mean that the Dems should abandon a policy-heavy approach.
“policy-heavy” is great, go for it, but there’s a huge segment of voters (ALL sides) that vote their tribe, or based on who they like/hate this week, or whatever.
“policy” is about as relevant as the “talent” portion of a beauty pageant.
“policy-heavy” is great, go for it, but there’s a huge segment of voters (ALL sides) that vote their tribe, or based on who they like/hate this week, or whatever.
“policy” is about as relevant as the “talent” portion of a beauty pageant.
Getting people to vote “against” can work pretty well. For a while.
However,
1) “Against” doesn’t work nearly as well at motivating people to cough up big bucks, or to show up to do the grunt work involved in a political campaign, and
2) If you get as far as elected to control of the legislative and executive branches, you better deliver on all those negatives. While NOT delivering a bunch of pain — even if the pain turns out to be part and parcel of the negatives.
That’s where the Republicans are caught at the moment. They are not managing to deliver on a lot of the negatives, either at all (e.g. Obamacare repeal) or because doing so turns out not to fix the problem claimed (e.g. immigration). And, if/when they do, there base of support is going to be furious with the fallout on them.
After failing to deliver, or delivering dross, getting those voters back is going to be a challenge. The brighter folks there realize that they have a very narrow, and quite possibly one time, opportunity to do all the stuff that they have dreamed about and/or sold to their big donors for years. And whether you agree with what they want to do or not, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that they’re blowing it. Big time.
Getting people to vote “against” can work pretty well. For a while.
However,
1) “Against” doesn’t work nearly as well at motivating people to cough up big bucks, or to show up to do the grunt work involved in a political campaign, and
2) If you get as far as elected to control of the legislative and executive branches, you better deliver on all those negatives. While NOT delivering a bunch of pain — even if the pain turns out to be part and parcel of the negatives.
That’s where the Republicans are caught at the moment. They are not managing to deliver on a lot of the negatives, either at all (e.g. Obamacare repeal) or because doing so turns out not to fix the problem claimed (e.g. immigration). And, if/when they do, there base of support is going to be furious with the fallout on them.
After failing to deliver, or delivering dross, getting those voters back is going to be a challenge. The brighter folks there realize that they have a very narrow, and quite possibly one time, opportunity to do all the stuff that they have dreamed about and/or sold to their big donors for years. And whether you agree with what they want to do or not, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that they’re blowing it. Big time.
that was a clutch “no” vote.
Fascinating usage of clutch, which I have never previously encountered (and had to look up). Always up for improving my vocabulary (ObWi has been great for this, especially with online-related acronyms). Thanks Pollo de muerte.
that was a clutch “no” vote.
Fascinating usage of clutch, which I have never previously encountered (and had to look up). Always up for improving my vocabulary (ObWi has been great for this, especially with online-related acronyms). Thanks Pollo de muerte.
And whether you agree with what they want to do or not, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that they’re blowing it. Big time.
Absolutely. Having cemented control of all three branches of the federal government, now is their time….but it tends to be a brief window.
They are flailing.
And whether you agree with what they want to do or not, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that they’re blowing it. Big time.
Absolutely. Having cemented control of all three branches of the federal government, now is their time….but it tends to be a brief window.
They are flailing.
Somewhat lost in the shuffle last week was Trump’s clarion call for more police brutality:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/07/28/trump-tells-police-not-to-worry-about-injuring-suspects-during-arrests/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.daec66138896
This comment https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/07/30/trump-doesnt-bother-to-disguise-his-thuggish-instincts/?utm_term=.ed7ee192fdd3 gives a look at what a not spineless conservative (yes, there are still a few out there) had to say.
Somewhat lost in the shuffle last week was Trump’s clarion call for more police brutality:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/07/28/trump-tells-police-not-to-worry-about-injuring-suspects-during-arrests/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.daec66138896
This comment https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/07/30/trump-doesnt-bother-to-disguise-his-thuggish-instincts/?utm_term=.ed7ee192fdd3 gives a look at what a not spineless conservative (yes, there are still a few out there) had to say.
>>Fascinating usage of clutch, which I have never previously encountered (and had to look up).
Given my username, you would be forgiven for assuming it was a meta-reference to eggs.
>>Fascinating usage of clutch, which I have never previously encountered (and had to look up).
Given my username, you would be forgiven for assuming it was a meta-reference to eggs.
It is a fascinating username. Chicken of Death – is that right? A reference to World of Warcraft?
It is a fascinating username. Chicken of Death – is that right? A reference to World of Warcraft?
I think there has been some conflation in the thread between being reactionary in a political campaign and governing in a reactionary manner, which is understandable given the relationship between the two.
In general it’s fine and appropriate for conservatives to be reactionary in filling that Burkean/Buckleyian role of standing athwart history, yelling Stop! The problem is the Pubs used such strident language in their campaign and have so utterly failed to live up to it after achieving complete electoral victory.
In a way, both parties have been playing against type to their detriment. Pubs/conservatives are not natural revolutionaries, but have increasingly used revolutionary language in their campaigns. Dems/progressives are naturally revolutionary, but from the third year of the Obama administration on, they have been in a defensive crouch.
I think there has been some conflation in the thread between being reactionary in a political campaign and governing in a reactionary manner, which is understandable given the relationship between the two.
In general it’s fine and appropriate for conservatives to be reactionary in filling that Burkean/Buckleyian role of standing athwart history, yelling Stop! The problem is the Pubs used such strident language in their campaign and have so utterly failed to live up to it after achieving complete electoral victory.
In a way, both parties have been playing against type to their detriment. Pubs/conservatives are not natural revolutionaries, but have increasingly used revolutionary language in their campaigns. Dems/progressives are naturally revolutionary, but from the third year of the Obama administration on, they have been in a defensive crouch.
They are flailing.
they certainly are.
my gut says Trump voters will find a way (or be shown a way) to blame everybody else but the GOP.
They are flailing.
they certainly are.
my gut says Trump voters will find a way (or be shown a way) to blame everybody else but the GOP.
My guess is that the GOP’s voters will start by shooting down in the primaries several otherwise safe US Senators. And then get upset when that results in Democrats beating the nut cases that they nominated instead.
Watching this pattern play out in California over the course of a couple of decades, here’s where things may well go next. Places that were swing states start acquiring Democratic state administrations. Places which were moderately safe for Republicans become swing states. (States which were very safe for Republicans go down the path that Kansas has traveled.)
Whether the Democrats can capitalize on all this depends on how well they do at recruiting (and training) candidates at the state level. But if they get it right, 2020 and the redistricting that follows could be extremely good for them.
My guess is that the GOP’s voters will start by shooting down in the primaries several otherwise safe US Senators. And then get upset when that results in Democrats beating the nut cases that they nominated instead.
Watching this pattern play out in California over the course of a couple of decades, here’s where things may well go next. Places that were swing states start acquiring Democratic state administrations. Places which were moderately safe for Republicans become swing states. (States which were very safe for Republicans go down the path that Kansas has traveled.)
Whether the Democrats can capitalize on all this depends on how well they do at recruiting (and training) candidates at the state level. But if they get it right, 2020 and the redistricting that follows could be extremely good for them.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/07/31/why-corrupt-bankers-avoid-jail
I had come comments about this article, but decided to throw up instead.
Off to road trip starting Tuesday.
See you at the other end in the funny papers.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/07/31/why-corrupt-bankers-avoid-jail
I had come comments about this article, but decided to throw up instead.
Off to road trip starting Tuesday.
See you at the other end in the funny papers.
hope you’re right, wj.
Trump’s election pretty much wiped out my faith in common sense.
hope you’re right, wj.
Trump’s election pretty much wiped out my faith in common sense.
What cleek said. Plus, I now have (and have had for some time) a superstitious dread of predicting anything good, in case I alert the Evil Eye…
What cleek said. Plus, I now have (and have had for some time) a superstitious dread of predicting anything good, in case I alert the Evil Eye…
The boys down at the Niggerhead Ranch didn’t approve of Harry Truman spending defense dollars on bleaching repigmenting black military recruits’ skin in 1950 either.
http://juanitajean.com/rick-perry-lets-trump-grab-him-by-the-pussy/
The boys down at the Niggerhead Ranch didn’t approve of Harry Truman spending defense dollars on bleaching repigmenting black military recruits’ skin in 1950 either.
http://juanitajean.com/rick-perry-lets-trump-grab-him-by-the-pussy/
cleek, keep these words in mind:
common sense isn’t
cleek, keep these words in mind:
common sense isn’t
common sense isn’t
On that note, there’s a very important gubernatorial race that’s happening now in Virginia, with Ralph Northam, a progressive physician who has the right take on just about every issue, running against Ed Gillespie, former RNC hack who has been responsible for much of the very targeted and successful Republican gerrymandering throughout the nation, and specifically in VA, more often blue than not in statewide elections (although not safely so).
So working for Northam (after having voted for his challenger in the primary, just in order to bridge the gap to younger voters), I’ve encountered “progressive” single-issue voters who oppose the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and plan to vote on that issue alone. Northam supports every progressive cause imaginable, but he hasn’t stood strong against the pipeline. (Although I think he should, more to shut this argument down than because it’s actually something worth worrying about. He has remained neutral.)
This race is so freaking important. Sigh.
common sense isn’t
On that note, there’s a very important gubernatorial race that’s happening now in Virginia, with Ralph Northam, a progressive physician who has the right take on just about every issue, running against Ed Gillespie, former RNC hack who has been responsible for much of the very targeted and successful Republican gerrymandering throughout the nation, and specifically in VA, more often blue than not in statewide elections (although not safely so).
So working for Northam (after having voted for his challenger in the primary, just in order to bridge the gap to younger voters), I’ve encountered “progressive” single-issue voters who oppose the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and plan to vote on that issue alone. Northam supports every progressive cause imaginable, but he hasn’t stood strong against the pipeline. (Although I think he should, more to shut this argument down than because it’s actually something worth worrying about. He has remained neutral.)
This race is so freaking important. Sigh.
I’ve encountered “progressive” single-issue voters who oppose the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and plan to vote on that issue alone
Paging Jill Stein!
I’ve encountered “progressive” single-issue voters who oppose the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and plan to vote on that issue alone
Paging Jill Stein!
Paging Jill Stein!
And, you know, she’s not even running. Ed Gillespie is running. Wonderful environmentalist, I’m sure.
Paging Jill Stein!
And, you know, she’s not even running. Ed Gillespie is running. Wonderful environmentalist, I’m sure.
I’ve encountered “progressive” single-issue voters who oppose the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and plan to vote on that issue alone.
It is amazing (not to mention depressing), is it not, how many people seem absolutely determined to make the perfect the enemy of the good? I suppose that, in some respects, our politics is a competition between the parties to see who can better hold their purists at bay.
I’ve encountered “progressive” single-issue voters who oppose the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and plan to vote on that issue alone.
It is amazing (not to mention depressing), is it not, how many people seem absolutely determined to make the perfect the enemy of the good? I suppose that, in some respects, our politics is a competition between the parties to see who can better hold their purists at bay.
Since you call yourself a Republican, wj, I wish I could argue with you more. But, you know, I can’t.
I wonder if these “progressives” that I speak of are also “anti-corporatist”. Because Ed Gillespie, you know, has so much credibility on that front.
“One of [his] firm’s clients was Enron, which paid it $1,225,000, including $700,000 to lobby the Department of Energy and the Executive Office of the President to resist efforts to re-regulate the western electricity market during the California Electricity Crisis.”
Since you call yourself a Republican, wj, I wish I could argue with you more. But, you know, I can’t.
I wonder if these “progressives” that I speak of are also “anti-corporatist”. Because Ed Gillespie, you know, has so much credibility on that front.
“One of [his] firm’s clients was Enron, which paid it $1,225,000, including $700,000 to lobby the Department of Energy and the Executive Office of the President to resist efforts to re-regulate the western electricity market during the California Electricity Crisis.”
little-picture “progressives” will be the death of us all – aided and abetted by know-nothing “conservatives”, of course.
little-picture “progressives” will be the death of us all – aided and abetted by know-nothing “conservatives”, of course.
I agree about the little picture progressives. They are a pox. As for how the health care fiasco plays out with the thirty percenters: they will blame someone other than themselves. That’s what they do. They know nothing and think less. Like Pavlov’s dogs, they salivate (vote) on command of whoever best appeals to their desire to feel superior to everyone else by hating everyone else. It will never occur to them that if their representatives succeed in ruining Obamacare, they and/or their neighbors and fellow Americans will be harmed. When the harm comes they will do wha they always do: blame someone other than themselves and refuse to take any responsibility. They are a waste of time. The important issue is: how will the health care fiasco and any future problems with the exchanges affect the swing voters?
I agree about the little picture progressives. They are a pox. As for how the health care fiasco plays out with the thirty percenters: they will blame someone other than themselves. That’s what they do. They know nothing and think less. Like Pavlov’s dogs, they salivate (vote) on command of whoever best appeals to their desire to feel superior to everyone else by hating everyone else. It will never occur to them that if their representatives succeed in ruining Obamacare, they and/or their neighbors and fellow Americans will be harmed. When the harm comes they will do wha they always do: blame someone other than themselves and refuse to take any responsibility. They are a waste of time. The important issue is: how will the health care fiasco and any future problems with the exchanges affect the swing voters?
…how many people seem absolutely determined to make the perfect the enemy of the good?
Those of us honest and consistent enough to not see enough “good.”
You know, Iraq vote, Libya, bank bailout etc whatever still no denial that Democratic are better, much much better than Republicans yet still the lesser evil that left-centrists claim is enough justification for a vote yet switch after the election to saying Obama or Clinton are no longer lesser evils but upon gaining great power then became somehow actually good.
Democrats are not good but lesser barely tolerable evils and shouldn’t have complementary things said about them but always be held at arm’s length in order to criticize and pressure.
Unless the question is about policing a comment section or other discourse and create qualifying tests of community or something. Not much into loyalty and community borders and boundaries, I can’t claim to understand exclusionary desires.
…how many people seem absolutely determined to make the perfect the enemy of the good?
Those of us honest and consistent enough to not see enough “good.”
You know, Iraq vote, Libya, bank bailout etc whatever still no denial that Democratic are better, much much better than Republicans yet still the lesser evil that left-centrists claim is enough justification for a vote yet switch after the election to saying Obama or Clinton are no longer lesser evils but upon gaining great power then became somehow actually good.
Democrats are not good but lesser barely tolerable evils and shouldn’t have complementary things said about them but always be held at arm’s length in order to criticize and pressure.
Unless the question is about policing a comment section or other discourse and create qualifying tests of community or something. Not much into loyalty and community borders and boundaries, I can’t claim to understand exclusionary desires.
Earlier this year, Congress voted on whether to repeal the methane rule controlling emissions from oil and gas drillers operating on federal lands. The rule was modeled on rules adopted by Colorado and Wyoming for drillers operating on state or private lands. McCain was the third Republican vote to retain the rule (also Collins and Graham).
I suspect the man knows the votes he casts this year may be the last he ever casts, and has looked at trends in the West and is thinking about how he will be remembered. (I suspect the same thing of Justice Kennedy as well.)
Earlier this year, Congress voted on whether to repeal the methane rule controlling emissions from oil and gas drillers operating on federal lands. The rule was modeled on rules adopted by Colorado and Wyoming for drillers operating on state or private lands. McCain was the third Republican vote to retain the rule (also Collins and Graham).
I suspect the man knows the votes he casts this year may be the last he ever casts, and has looked at trends in the West and is thinking about how he will be remembered. (I suspect the same thing of Justice Kennedy as well.)
I’ve encountered “progressive” single-issue voters who oppose the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and plan to vote on that issue alone
So GOP hack candidate (Gillespie) supports the pipeline. Dem governor (McAuliffe) practically birthed the project. Dem Senate candidate waffles because a significant part of his constituency opposes the project as did (gasp!) his primary opponent.
The horror.
But the real problem isn’t the Gilded Age GOP and its loathsome public policies, it’s a few “purists” and not a word is spoken about, say, some craft unions who support the pipeline in a similarly single issue single minded manner because ‘jobs’. I guess they don’t qualify as purists.
Everybody has hot buttons.
I’ve encountered “progressive” single-issue voters who oppose the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and plan to vote on that issue alone
So GOP hack candidate (Gillespie) supports the pipeline. Dem governor (McAuliffe) practically birthed the project. Dem Senate candidate waffles because a significant part of his constituency opposes the project as did (gasp!) his primary opponent.
The horror.
But the real problem isn’t the Gilded Age GOP and its loathsome public policies, it’s a few “purists” and not a word is spoken about, say, some craft unions who support the pipeline in a similarly single issue single minded manner because ‘jobs’. I guess they don’t qualify as purists.
Everybody has hot buttons.
Everybody has hot buttons.
Just to clarify, Northam is running to succeed McAuliffe, who has been a way better than expected governor, having hand signed for hours and hours tens of thousands of felon applications to have their voting rights reinstated after courts tried to shut that project down.
bobbyp, you live in the Pacific NW, so just think a minute before you start waxing progressive on VA politics. And yes, the unions support the pipeline. I think the environmental arguments are very mixed if you grant that natural gas is not going away as a bridge to sustainable fuels. Transporting it through pipelines is much more eco-smart than carrying it in trucks. That said, I voted for the “anti-pipeline candidate” in the primary because I like him, and because I respect the “sustainable fuels now” sentiment that a lot of people have. Also because Tom Perriello had policy chops that extended way beyond “pipeline!”.
In any case, Ed Gillespie is a nightmare, and his history of environmental degradation is legion (bobbyp, my comment about him referenced Enron and the California energy crisis), and gerrymandering will never end if he’s elected.
But it’s fine that purists want to let him win. Because pure.
Everybody has hot buttons.
Just to clarify, Northam is running to succeed McAuliffe, who has been a way better than expected governor, having hand signed for hours and hours tens of thousands of felon applications to have their voting rights reinstated after courts tried to shut that project down.
bobbyp, you live in the Pacific NW, so just think a minute before you start waxing progressive on VA politics. And yes, the unions support the pipeline. I think the environmental arguments are very mixed if you grant that natural gas is not going away as a bridge to sustainable fuels. Transporting it through pipelines is much more eco-smart than carrying it in trucks. That said, I voted for the “anti-pipeline candidate” in the primary because I like him, and because I respect the “sustainable fuels now” sentiment that a lot of people have. Also because Tom Perriello had policy chops that extended way beyond “pipeline!”.
In any case, Ed Gillespie is a nightmare, and his history of environmental degradation is legion (bobbyp, my comment about him referenced Enron and the California energy crisis), and gerrymandering will never end if he’s elected.
But it’s fine that purists want to let him win. Because pure.
Earlier this year, Congress voted on whether to repeal the methane rule controlling emissions from oil and gas drillers operating on federal lands. The rule was modeled on rules adopted by Colorado and Wyoming for drillers operating on state or private lands. McCain was the third Republican vote to retain the rule (also Collins and Graham).
I did not know that. Good on him (again).
Earlier this year, Congress voted on whether to repeal the methane rule controlling emissions from oil and gas drillers operating on federal lands. The rule was modeled on rules adopted by Colorado and Wyoming for drillers operating on state or private lands. McCain was the third Republican vote to retain the rule (also Collins and Graham).
I did not know that. Good on him (again).
But it’s fine that purists want to let him win. Because pure.
I enjoy the arguments, and I am not by any means a purist. However, I do find the nonstop hippie punching at every conceivable opportunity to be utterly tiresome.
There are bigger fish to fry.
But it’s fine that purists want to let him win. Because pure.
I enjoy the arguments, and I am not by any means a purist. However, I do find the nonstop hippie punching at every conceivable opportunity to be utterly tiresome.
There are bigger fish to fry.
There are bigger fish to fry.
Yeah, thanks, and that was why people are out going door to door.
Still, it’s discouraging to meet these ridiculous “single issue” progressives, who apparently don’t give a rat’s ass about health care, immigrants’ rights, voting rights, wealth inequality, and (yes) the environment. All they care about is “The Pipeline!” because someone told them that it was the thing that made them a “true progressive”. Is that hippy punching? I think it’s a@@h@le punching, myself.
There are bigger fish to fry.
Yeah, thanks, and that was why people are out going door to door.
Still, it’s discouraging to meet these ridiculous “single issue” progressives, who apparently don’t give a rat’s ass about health care, immigrants’ rights, voting rights, wealth inequality, and (yes) the environment. All they care about is “The Pipeline!” because someone told them that it was the thing that made them a “true progressive”. Is that hippy punching? I think it’s a@@h@le punching, myself.
But the real problem isn’t the Gilded Age GOP and its loathsome public policies, it’s a few “purists” and not a word is spoken about, say, some craft unions who support the pipeline in a similarly single issue single minded manner because ‘jobs’. I guess they don’t qualify as purists.
Hell yeah, they do.
FWIW, I’m fine with natural gas as a bridging fuel, and I’m also fine with people not wanting pipelines running through their land and communities.
They want to run one of those through my county, and they can kiss my keister. In my area, we already host one of the handful – I think three – natural gas ports and tank farms, which happens to abut a residential area of the city of Boston, and we also host an off-shore natural gas transfer point.
That should be sufficient. Sorry, you can’t f up the dominant local river and watershed to shift gas around more conveniently.
I’m not into taking private land and handing it over to for-profits to use to make a gazillion dollars. And I don’t trust the “it’s perfectly safe” dudes in suits who are happy to screw over anybody in their path if it means they can make their million.
Nothing hippie-punching about it.
If I personally slag Jill Stein, it’s because she’s a fruitcake. She’s in my wheelhouse, she’s from my state, I’ve voted for her on occasion, and as much as I’d like a credible Green party in the US, she’s a nutty buddy.
But the real problem isn’t the Gilded Age GOP and its loathsome public policies, it’s a few “purists” and not a word is spoken about, say, some craft unions who support the pipeline in a similarly single issue single minded manner because ‘jobs’. I guess they don’t qualify as purists.
Hell yeah, they do.
FWIW, I’m fine with natural gas as a bridging fuel, and I’m also fine with people not wanting pipelines running through their land and communities.
They want to run one of those through my county, and they can kiss my keister. In my area, we already host one of the handful – I think three – natural gas ports and tank farms, which happens to abut a residential area of the city of Boston, and we also host an off-shore natural gas transfer point.
That should be sufficient. Sorry, you can’t f up the dominant local river and watershed to shift gas around more conveniently.
I’m not into taking private land and handing it over to for-profits to use to make a gazillion dollars. And I don’t trust the “it’s perfectly safe” dudes in suits who are happy to screw over anybody in their path if it means they can make their million.
Nothing hippie-punching about it.
If I personally slag Jill Stein, it’s because she’s a fruitcake. She’s in my wheelhouse, she’s from my state, I’ve voted for her on occasion, and as much as I’d like a credible Green party in the US, she’s a nutty buddy.
FWIW, I’m fine with natural gas as a bridging fuel, and I’m also fine with people not wanting pipelines running through their land and communities.
Fine, and that’s why I voted for the current nominee’s opponent. But I’m not a “single issue pipeline opponent” when the other issues include people dead from all of the many other R policies, including every other freaking environmental issue, as well as Medicaid, voting rights, anti-ICE efforts, anti-gerrymandering initiatives, anti-corporate corruption initiatives, etc.
Sorry, dude. Single issue anti-pipeline folks are misguided. And saying so isn’t hippy punching.
FWIW, I’m fine with natural gas as a bridging fuel, and I’m also fine with people not wanting pipelines running through their land and communities.
Fine, and that’s why I voted for the current nominee’s opponent. But I’m not a “single issue pipeline opponent” when the other issues include people dead from all of the many other R policies, including every other freaking environmental issue, as well as Medicaid, voting rights, anti-ICE efforts, anti-gerrymandering initiatives, anti-corporate corruption initiatives, etc.
Sorry, dude. Single issue anti-pipeline folks are misguided. And saying so isn’t hippy punching.
Hope nobody lives near a railroad or a highway.
Oh, wait.
Hope nobody lives near a railroad or a highway.
Oh, wait.
I’d say we’re going to have a colossal failure to communicate:
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/07/behold-the-trump-communications-team/
It looks like the beginning of a superheros movie, before the League of Someone Please Save Our Asses is notified and mobilized, as the villains hit town and fuck everyone and everything up.
I’d say we’re going to have a colossal failure to communicate:
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/07/behold-the-trump-communications-team/
It looks like the beginning of a superheros movie, before the League of Someone Please Save Our Asses is notified and mobilized, as the villains hit town and fuck everyone and everything up.
Fine, and that’s why I voted for the current nominee’s opponent.
In your place, I would work for and vote without hesitation for Northam. And if I ran into a “purist” or two, I’d try to engage a bit, but still wish them well.
But mostly, in political terms, I would not go out of my way to rub their noses in it, because at some other time, on some other important race or issue, they will be on my side, not some mythical “swing voter”.
And perhaps at some point in the future, you will be in the distinct minority on your hot button issue.
And you won’t get your way.
Hopefully you won’t go all Zell Miller. But you never know, do you?
Fine, and that’s why I voted for the current nominee’s opponent.
In your place, I would work for and vote without hesitation for Northam. And if I ran into a “purist” or two, I’d try to engage a bit, but still wish them well.
But mostly, in political terms, I would not go out of my way to rub their noses in it, because at some other time, on some other important race or issue, they will be on my side, not some mythical “swing voter”.
And perhaps at some point in the future, you will be in the distinct minority on your hot button issue.
And you won’t get your way.
Hopefully you won’t go all Zell Miller. But you never know, do you?
Hopefully you won’t go all Zell Miller. But you never know, do you?
I pretty much know that I won’t go all Zel Miller.
And I did exactly what you prescribed, and waited to rant about it here. You’re welcome.
I’ve seen this playbook all my life, and that’s one of two reasons we’re here now. Reason 1: Republicans. Reason 2: Purist “progressives”.
Hopefully you won’t go all Zell Miller. But you never know, do you?
I pretty much know that I won’t go all Zel Miller.
And I did exactly what you prescribed, and waited to rant about it here. You’re welcome.
I’ve seen this playbook all my life, and that’s one of two reasons we’re here now. Reason 1: Republicans. Reason 2: Purist “progressives”.
..and waited to rant about it here. You’re welcome.
And I ranted back. It happens on the internets.
Thanks.
..and waited to rant about it here. You’re welcome.
And I ranted back. It happens on the internets.
Thanks.
🙂
🙂
Shocked, I am SHOCKED! that there is ranting on the internets!
…and cats. I blame the cats.
Shocked, I am SHOCKED! that there is ranting on the internets!
…and cats. I blame the cats.
I’m not a “single issue pipeline opponent”
Nor am I.
Transporting gas is dangerous, whether it’s done by pipeline, highway, or train. In my area, we already live with it. Natural gas is shipped through Boston harbor to a tank farm in Everett, which takes it under the major bridge connection to the north shore. The tank farm itself is close enough to residential areas that, should anything gang agley, there will be damage.
There are also a couple of gas distribution points off of Gloucester, which I think are more or less unused, because between the time they were planned and the time they were actually built, fracking took off, and importing gas just isn’t a thing anymore.
Kinder Morgan proposed a natural gas pipeline route through the Ipswich River watershed, which is the primary river system in Essex Country, where I live. They did not cover themselves with glory in how they approached the towns, and the people, who would be affected by the proposal. It’s a really densely populated area, and the pipeline would run through residential areas and close to schools and other places you don’t really want a natural gas pipeline.
The gas companies have generally comported themselves as dicks, not just here but pretty much everywhere. They all want to make their billion freaking dollars. Best of luck to them, but the people who live places that will be affected by their operations are entitled to have, not just a voice, but a reasonable degree of control, over how their lives are affected by this stuff.
I’m not a single-issue voter, I completely get your point regarding your local race. But there’s a really broad spectrum between “progressive purists” and people who simply want some agency over their own lives and that of their communities. The fact that I don’t want a pipeline through my community has bugger-all to do with Northam’s prospects in your district.
Best of luck.
I’m not a “single issue pipeline opponent”
Nor am I.
Transporting gas is dangerous, whether it’s done by pipeline, highway, or train. In my area, we already live with it. Natural gas is shipped through Boston harbor to a tank farm in Everett, which takes it under the major bridge connection to the north shore. The tank farm itself is close enough to residential areas that, should anything gang agley, there will be damage.
There are also a couple of gas distribution points off of Gloucester, which I think are more or less unused, because between the time they were planned and the time they were actually built, fracking took off, and importing gas just isn’t a thing anymore.
Kinder Morgan proposed a natural gas pipeline route through the Ipswich River watershed, which is the primary river system in Essex Country, where I live. They did not cover themselves with glory in how they approached the towns, and the people, who would be affected by the proposal. It’s a really densely populated area, and the pipeline would run through residential areas and close to schools and other places you don’t really want a natural gas pipeline.
The gas companies have generally comported themselves as dicks, not just here but pretty much everywhere. They all want to make their billion freaking dollars. Best of luck to them, but the people who live places that will be affected by their operations are entitled to have, not just a voice, but a reasonable degree of control, over how their lives are affected by this stuff.
I’m not a single-issue voter, I completely get your point regarding your local race. But there’s a really broad spectrum between “progressive purists” and people who simply want some agency over their own lives and that of their communities. The fact that I don’t want a pipeline through my community has bugger-all to do with Northam’s prospects in your district.
Best of luck.
John McCain:
Whenever I think of McCain, I think of this segment from the movie “Why We Fight”.
Cheney should be investigated. But, first I gotta take his call.
I’m sure the editing contributes to making McCain look like a sold-out toady, but it is what it is. There was no investigation, McCain never asked for one to my knowledge. He just wanted to talk about it.
Politics is all about compromise. It’s great to talk big ideas, but in the end it’s a lot of scratch-my-back-and-I’ll-scratch-yours. McCain is no worse, but no better, then most folks in that business.
At least there’s no video of him handing out checks on the Senate floor at vote time.
John McCain:
Whenever I think of McCain, I think of this segment from the movie “Why We Fight”.
Cheney should be investigated. But, first I gotta take his call.
I’m sure the editing contributes to making McCain look like a sold-out toady, but it is what it is. There was no investigation, McCain never asked for one to my knowledge. He just wanted to talk about it.
Politics is all about compromise. It’s great to talk big ideas, but in the end it’s a lot of scratch-my-back-and-I’ll-scratch-yours. McCain is no worse, but no better, then most folks in that business.
At least there’s no video of him handing out checks on the Senate floor at vote time.
Someone made the comment upthread that both parties ahve to deal with their purists. Tats true, but I think the dynamic is very different for each party. With the Repubicans, the extremists have taken over the primaries so candidates pander to them, competing to see who can be the nuttiest to get the nomination. After the nomination, even the craziest Rep will get the votes of Republican voters who claim to be normal people and who express disapprovla of he exteremists in their party. Everyone pretends the nutty Repubican has pivoted to normalcy.
Thats why Congress is full of crazy Republicans: because the Republicans who are not purists and who claim to disapprove of exermism vote fo rhem.
The Dem primaries anc caucuses tend to be a rancourous agrument between those who see themselves ans insiders dn those who see them selves as outsiders The outsiders usually lose. A subset of the outsiders sulks and pouts and helps elect Repubicans.
So both parties have purists, but the Republicans elect their nutcases to office and then pretend they aren’t nuts, whereas a to outlier Dem is unlikey to get nominated, but supporters of that outlier might not vote.
Very different dynamic.
Someone made the comment upthread that both parties ahve to deal with their purists. Tats true, but I think the dynamic is very different for each party. With the Repubicans, the extremists have taken over the primaries so candidates pander to them, competing to see who can be the nuttiest to get the nomination. After the nomination, even the craziest Rep will get the votes of Republican voters who claim to be normal people and who express disapprovla of he exteremists in their party. Everyone pretends the nutty Repubican has pivoted to normalcy.
Thats why Congress is full of crazy Republicans: because the Republicans who are not purists and who claim to disapprove of exermism vote fo rhem.
The Dem primaries anc caucuses tend to be a rancourous agrument between those who see themselves ans insiders dn those who see them selves as outsiders The outsiders usually lose. A subset of the outsiders sulks and pouts and helps elect Repubicans.
So both parties have purists, but the Republicans elect their nutcases to office and then pretend they aren’t nuts, whereas a to outlier Dem is unlikey to get nominated, but supporters of that outlier might not vote.
Very different dynamic.
After the nomination, even the craziest Rep will get the votes of Republican voters who claim to be normal people and who express disapprovla of he exteremists in their party.
I expect that’s true in some cases. But there are also those of us who vote for sane candidates in the GOP primaries (yes, they are not unheard-of) . . . and then have to hope that the Democrats nominated someone tolerable.
After the nomination, even the craziest Rep will get the votes of Republican voters who claim to be normal people and who express disapprovla of he exteremists in their party.
I expect that’s true in some cases. But there are also those of us who vote for sane candidates in the GOP primaries (yes, they are not unheard-of) . . . and then have to hope that the Democrats nominated someone tolerable.
FWIW, I’m fine with natural gas as a bridging fuel, and I’m also fine with people not wanting pipelines running through their land and communities.
Yep. But if they want electricity, they’re going to have to make choices. Generate relatively locally and they need coal trains, or gas pipelines, or nukes with spent fuel storage issues. Or renewables, but there are damned few places where local sources of renewable power are sufficient. If none of that’s suitable, then big power lines coming in from someplace that is willing to have coal trains or gas pipelines or nukes or commercial scale wind and solar farms. (I recommend driving I-70 across the middle of Kansas through the Smokey Hills wind farm — serioiusly heavy industrial vibe.)
FWIW, I’m fine with natural gas as a bridging fuel, and I’m also fine with people not wanting pipelines running through their land and communities.
Yep. But if they want electricity, they’re going to have to make choices. Generate relatively locally and they need coal trains, or gas pipelines, or nukes with spent fuel storage issues. Or renewables, but there are damned few places where local sources of renewable power are sufficient. If none of that’s suitable, then big power lines coming in from someplace that is willing to have coal trains or gas pipelines or nukes or commercial scale wind and solar farms. (I recommend driving I-70 across the middle of Kansas through the Smokey Hills wind farm — serioiusly heavy industrial vibe.)
Really, who cares what WE think of John McCain.
Rump, Mulvaney and company want to punish the man with the brain tumor to achieve their sadistic goal of murdering Americans.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mulvaney-obamacare-insurance-companies-congress-trump-threat
Ruthless sadists spit on pathetic elections and the democratic process, messy as it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_XL7GWq5w0
They are not our peers.
This will take a savage revolution to sort out. Killing fields.
Really, who cares what WE think of John McCain.
Rump, Mulvaney and company want to punish the man with the brain tumor to achieve their sadistic goal of murdering Americans.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mulvaney-obamacare-insurance-companies-congress-trump-threat
Ruthless sadists spit on pathetic elections and the democratic process, messy as it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_XL7GWq5w0
They are not our peers.
This will take a savage revolution to sort out. Killing fields.
Kiss it, cucks:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/conway-advises-white-house-staffers-trump-humility
Kiss it, cucks:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/conway-advises-white-house-staffers-trump-humility
Here’s what the rank and file base of the soon-to-be stinking, heaving corpse of the republican party think of McCain:
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/07/30/abc-s-week-finds-out-what-happens-when-you-have-fringe-radio-host-bill-cunningham-guest/217445
Here’s what the rank and file base of the soon-to-be stinking, heaving corpse of the republican party think of McCain:
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/07/30/abc-s-week-finds-out-what-happens-when-you-have-fringe-radio-host-bill-cunningham-guest/217445
Certain reforms can increase the store of liberty and equality at the same time—which means both gubernatorial candidates should find them worthy of support.
5 Easy Ways to Make Virginia Better
Certain reforms can increase the store of liberty and equality at the same time—which means both gubernatorial candidates should find them worthy of support.
5 Easy Ways to Make Virginia Better
The Count’s Kellyanne Conway link is almost unbelievable. Perhaps it is a stratagem to see who was in the meeting and then to deduce who leaked it. The alternatives, that this woman could either a) believe the astounding, appalling shit she was talking or b) think that her manipulativeness in handling Trump in this way (although no doubt it works with him) would somehow make her look anything other than craven and pathetic, are frankly incredible.
It is true that in my experience Americans historically accorded their presidents more respect than we (or probably any other Europeans) ever accorded our leaders just by virtue of their office. I remember during the Thatcher/Reagan era I was out with a friend who was a quite senior American diplomat, and a bunch of other US diplomats of varying degrees of seniority. It was towards the end of Maggie’s tenure, and I was telling them that many people, including some of her colleagues, were starting to wonder if she was going slightly mad. One of the US contingent (admittedly on his first tour) said to me “I can’t believe how disrespectfully you speak of your Prime Minister.” When I replied that over here it was customary to accord respect to the person if their behaviour warranted it, rather than to the office, he was vociferous in his denunciations. He was young, but I have never forgotten it. On the other hand, Kellyanne Conway-style arselicking, or in fact the behaviour we saw around the cabinet table the other day, would then have been frankly unimaginable.
The Count’s Kellyanne Conway link is almost unbelievable. Perhaps it is a stratagem to see who was in the meeting and then to deduce who leaked it. The alternatives, that this woman could either a) believe the astounding, appalling shit she was talking or b) think that her manipulativeness in handling Trump in this way (although no doubt it works with him) would somehow make her look anything other than craven and pathetic, are frankly incredible.
It is true that in my experience Americans historically accorded their presidents more respect than we (or probably any other Europeans) ever accorded our leaders just by virtue of their office. I remember during the Thatcher/Reagan era I was out with a friend who was a quite senior American diplomat, and a bunch of other US diplomats of varying degrees of seniority. It was towards the end of Maggie’s tenure, and I was telling them that many people, including some of her colleagues, were starting to wonder if she was going slightly mad. One of the US contingent (admittedly on his first tour) said to me “I can’t believe how disrespectfully you speak of your Prime Minister.” When I replied that over here it was customary to accord respect to the person if their behaviour warranted it, rather than to the office, he was vociferous in his denunciations. He was young, but I have never forgotten it. On the other hand, Kellyanne Conway-style arselicking, or in fact the behaviour we saw around the cabinet table the other day, would then have been frankly unimaginable.
He was young, but I have never forgotten it.
I imagine that diplomats are trained to speak respectfully of the President since they are representing his policy, but I don’t think that the public at large feels that need. Not at all.
He was young, but I have never forgotten it.
I imagine that diplomats are trained to speak respectfully of the President since they are representing his policy, but I don’t think that the public at large feels that need. Not at all.
I’m curious what others think of this:
https://www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/535278/
Excerpt:
I’d say there’s some there there.
I’m curious what others think of this:
https://www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/535278/
Excerpt:
I’d say there’s some there there.
Seems like un-italicisation(?) would be in order.
And maybe someone could put a permanent link somewhere to the magic formula for that, so it can be easily found any time.
Seems like un-italicisation(?) would be in order.
And maybe someone could put a permanent link somewhere to the magic formula for that, so it can be easily found any time.
There’s there there but it’s been like that since, what, the 1960s? College students going to excess over ____, yet American society churns along relatively fine (tho’ I guess we’ll see with Trump, but he’s not the product of excesses of the “left” on college campuses).
Indeed, the paragraph says “well beyond college campuses” and yet the example of the troubling tendency of the left is…. college campuses.
I’ll cop to not reading the entire article.
There’s there there but it’s been like that since, what, the 1960s? College students going to excess over ____, yet American society churns along relatively fine (tho’ I guess we’ll see with Trump, but he’s not the product of excesses of the “left” on college campuses).
Indeed, the paragraph says “well beyond college campuses” and yet the example of the troubling tendency of the left is…. college campuses.
I’ll cop to not reading the entire article.
I’ll cop to not reading the entire article.
I’m excommunicating you from The Left, sinner.
I’ll cop to not reading the entire article.
I’m excommunicating you from The Left, sinner.
Interesting article hsh, and I agree with you about it.
Interesting article hsh, and I agree with you about it.
At the core of the issue is a troubling tendency, on both the left and right, that goes well beyond college campuses: a consuming obsession with sin.
I think righteous indignation is kind of a standard rite of passage for people making the transition to adulthood.
Most folks get past it. Other things become important, being right all the time becomes less so.
All of that said, it would be good if the campus PC police would take themselves less seriously.
At the core of the issue is a troubling tendency, on both the left and right, that goes well beyond college campuses: a consuming obsession with sin.
I think righteous indignation is kind of a standard rite of passage for people making the transition to adulthood.
Most folks get past it. Other things become important, being right all the time becomes less so.
All of that said, it would be good if the campus PC police would take themselves less seriously.
being seen as being anti-establishment is very important to a lot of people. my friends who think The Beatles are a crap band are the same people who think America should be burned down.
being seen as being anti-establishment is very important to a lot of people. my friends who think The Beatles are a crap band are the same people who think America should be burned down.
Ugh is right, that same “feature” was much in evidence in the 1960s.
I think the problem comes down to this: there is a tendency, on both sides, to think that their position is obviously correct. From which it follows that the other side is not merely wrong, but deliberately evil.
After all, since the correct position is obvious, they must know that what they are saying is wrong. So only malice can account for them saying it.
The idea that someone might be well-intentioned, but disagree about some issue, seems utterly foreign. I have no idea what failure in their up-bringing caused them to fail to recognize that opinions may differ. But my off-the-wall guess would be it comes from being reared in an excessively homogeneous environment. If you never encounter different opinions why you are young, you don’t know how to deal with them in a civilized fashion.
Ugh is right, that same “feature” was much in evidence in the 1960s.
I think the problem comes down to this: there is a tendency, on both sides, to think that their position is obviously correct. From which it follows that the other side is not merely wrong, but deliberately evil.
After all, since the correct position is obvious, they must know that what they are saying is wrong. So only malice can account for them saying it.
The idea that someone might be well-intentioned, but disagree about some issue, seems utterly foreign. I have no idea what failure in their up-bringing caused them to fail to recognize that opinions may differ. But my off-the-wall guess would be it comes from being reared in an excessively homogeneous environment. If you never encounter different opinions why you are young, you don’t know how to deal with them in a civilized fashion.
The news is reporting that the Mooch has gone! Instigated by Kelly…
The news is reporting that the Mooch has gone! Instigated by Kelly…
the clowns keep falling out of the clown car.
the clowns keep falling out of the clown car.
Trump fires Mooch. Thus proving that any operation can get something right occasionally.
Trump fires Mooch. Thus proving that any operation can get something right occasionally.
“escorted from the White House grounds”
Only one publicity seeking narcissistic vulgar NY prick allowed in the WH at a time it seems.
“escorted from the White House grounds”
Only one publicity seeking narcissistic vulgar NY prick allowed in the WH at a time it seems.
The winning though, think of the winning. And hiring only the best people, the best. People tell me that.
The winning though, think of the winning. And hiring only the best people, the best. People tell me that.
Ugh is right, that same “feature” was much in evidence in the 1960s.
Well, I guess some of you here have forgotten the proliferation of Protestant sects and the 30 Years War. Those of you more familiar on the real “Left” also know a little bit about Stalin v. Trotsky and the proliferation of Marxist sects (the other Bob probably knows).
I’m not up to speed on the various iterations of right wing extremism. I assume they are legion.
This is not new behavior, folks.
One should also keep in mind that the so-called “center” also changes over time, so you might say they are as wrong about things as everybody else.
Enjoy your day!
Ugh is right, that same “feature” was much in evidence in the 1960s.
Well, I guess some of you here have forgotten the proliferation of Protestant sects and the 30 Years War. Those of you more familiar on the real “Left” also know a little bit about Stalin v. Trotsky and the proliferation of Marxist sects (the other Bob probably knows).
I’m not up to speed on the various iterations of right wing extremism. I assume they are legion.
This is not new behavior, folks.
One should also keep in mind that the so-called “center” also changes over time, so you might say they are as wrong about things as everybody else.
Enjoy your day!
OPEN THREAD!!!!
Contra Krugman, Lemieux is dead on about the Heritage Plan.
Don’t give the GOP credit for ANYTHING. They have managed to transform themselves into a cult.
So call me an outlier.
OPEN THREAD!!!!
Contra Krugman, Lemieux is dead on about the Heritage Plan.
Don’t give the GOP credit for ANYTHING. They have managed to transform themselves into a cult.
So call me an outlier.
I wonder if his wife will take him back, now.
I wonder if his wife will take him back, now.
The news is reporting that the Mooch has gone! Instigated by Kelly…
Buried in spreadsheets as I am, I read “Kelly” and thought “KellyAnne” — wouldn’t have been surprised, either.
If Kelly is actually going to clear out the snake pit…who will be left?
Certainly not Ms. Conway.
Although she has survived for an awfully long time, so maybe I should take that back. She even precedes Bannon, at least officially, IIRC.
The news is reporting that the Mooch has gone! Instigated by Kelly…
Buried in spreadsheets as I am, I read “Kelly” and thought “KellyAnne” — wouldn’t have been surprised, either.
If Kelly is actually going to clear out the snake pit…who will be left?
Certainly not Ms. Conway.
Although she has survived for an awfully long time, so maybe I should take that back. She even precedes Bannon, at least officially, IIRC.
Win:
https://twitter.com/CalebHowe/status/891800001537617926
Win:
https://twitter.com/CalebHowe/status/891800001537617926
sadly, if Kelly does his job of getting rid of the circus, the result will be … a more effective Donald Trump.
sadly, if Kelly does his job of getting rid of the circus, the result will be … a more effective Donald Trump.
sadly, if Kelly does his job of getting rid of the circus, the result will be … a more effective Donald Trump.
That’s my worry, too. But I also think there’s a good chance that Trump will eventually do something stupid enough that Kelly won’t be able to tolerate, meaning he either quits over it or criticizes Trump harshly enough that Trump pushes him out.
sadly, if Kelly does his job of getting rid of the circus, the result will be … a more effective Donald Trump.
That’s my worry, too. But I also think there’s a good chance that Trump will eventually do something stupid enough that Kelly won’t be able to tolerate, meaning he either quits over it or criticizes Trump harshly enough that Trump pushes him out.
sadly, if Kelly does his job of getting rid of the circus, the result will be … a more effective Donald Trump.
Agree. I was just starting to enjoy the show. A well run Trump admin. is not something to be devoutly wished for….and what hsh said.
sadly, if Kelly does his job of getting rid of the circus, the result will be … a more effective Donald Trump.
Agree. I was just starting to enjoy the show. A well run Trump admin. is not something to be devoutly wished for….and what hsh said.
When Kelly tells The Great Orange Satan that either he goes or Ivanka and Jarred go, well, then we’ll know…..whose sh*t is going to hit which fan.
When Kelly tells The Great Orange Satan that either he goes or Ivanka and Jarred go, well, then we’ll know…..whose sh*t is going to hit which fan.
sadly, if Kelly does his job of getting rid of the circus, the result will be … a more effective Donald Trump.
My worry too, and what hsh and bobbyp said.
sadly, if Kelly does his job of getting rid of the circus, the result will be … a more effective Donald Trump.
My worry too, and what hsh and bobbyp said.
So it’s being reported that Kelly was so upset about Comey’s firing, and the manner of it, that he called him to commiserate and said he was thinking of resigning. If true, I wonder how long Kelly will last…
So it’s being reported that Kelly was so upset about Comey’s firing, and the manner of it, that he called him to commiserate and said he was thinking of resigning. If true, I wonder how long Kelly will last…
5 Easy Ways to Make Virginia Better
I could go along with those, Charles. But it is not “government” that is the problem. It is interests bending policy to their preferences.
The distinction is important.
5 Easy Ways to Make Virginia Better
I could go along with those, Charles. But it is not “government” that is the problem. It is interests bending policy to their preferences.
The distinction is important.
So it’s being reported that Kelly was so upset about Comey’s firing, and the manner of it, that he called him to commiserate and said he was thinking of resigning. If true, I wonder how long Kelly will last…
Something stinks about that story. I don’t trust that Kelly was so upset about it, especially what is being reported now about Trump having composed his son’s statements regarding the “meeting”. Kelly is Trump’s patsy one way or the other.
So it’s being reported that Kelly was so upset about Comey’s firing, and the manner of it, that he called him to commiserate and said he was thinking of resigning. If true, I wonder how long Kelly will last…
Something stinks about that story. I don’t trust that Kelly was so upset about it, especially what is being reported now about Trump having composed his son’s statements regarding the “meeting”. Kelly is Trump’s patsy one way or the other.
who knows, maybe kelly will whip everyone into shape.
we’ll probably know if it’s heading in that direction in a week, tops.
who knows, maybe kelly will whip everyone into shape.
we’ll probably know if it’s heading in that direction in a week, tops.
Real White House™.
I’m embarrassed to be waiting for tomorrow’s episode. I try to exercise to relieve anxiety, but it only works for about an hour.
Real White House™.
I’m embarrassed to be waiting for tomorrow’s episode. I try to exercise to relieve anxiety, but it only works for about an hour.
The plot thickens.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-dictated-sons-misleading-statement-on-meeting-with-russian-lawyer/2017/07/31/04c94f96-73ae-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html
The plot thickens.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-dictated-sons-misleading-statement-on-meeting-with-russian-lawyer/2017/07/31/04c94f96-73ae-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html
“The claims were later shown to be misleading.”
LOL
mistakes were made
“The claims were later shown to be misleading.”
LOL
mistakes were made
Meanwhile, Wikileaks [Putin] screws Macron over.
Calling those of us who have cherrypicked Wikileaks for dirt on Hillary Clinton (and John Kerry). Will I forgive “those of us”? No. Not until they change.
Meanwhile, Wikileaks [Putin] screws Macron over.
Calling those of us who have cherrypicked Wikileaks for dirt on Hillary Clinton (and John Kerry). Will I forgive “those of us”? No. Not until they change.
I like this:
I like this:
The plot thickens.
can we call that obstruction ?
i’ll assume not.
The plot thickens.
can we call that obstruction ?
i’ll assume not.
Basically, Trump appears to have always assumed that he was immune. Not entirely and absolutely — he occasionally had to settle a lawsuit. But that was just money; for practical purposes, he never had to give it a thought.
Now, being President, he feels even more immune, if that’s possible. Something might be an attack on his self-image. But the idea that he might be in legal jeopardy, the kind that gets you tossed in jail, is simply inconceivable at this point. Which leads him to do things that are even more risky than he ever would have before.
Eventually, probably sooner rather than later, he is going to discover that is wasn’t true. My prayer is that he doesn’t decide to destroy the world, which has failed him by holding him accountable.
Basically, Trump appears to have always assumed that he was immune. Not entirely and absolutely — he occasionally had to settle a lawsuit. But that was just money; for practical purposes, he never had to give it a thought.
Now, being President, he feels even more immune, if that’s possible. Something might be an attack on his self-image. But the idea that he might be in legal jeopardy, the kind that gets you tossed in jail, is simply inconceivable at this point. Which leads him to do things that are even more risky than he ever would have before.
Eventually, probably sooner rather than later, he is going to discover that is wasn’t true. My prayer is that he doesn’t decide to destroy the world, which has failed him by holding him accountable.
The mooch missed the birth of his child from natch, his estranged wife ..
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/30/anthony-scaramuccis-congratulated-estranged-wife-birth-child/
… to debase himself at rump’s behest for 11 days and lose his celebrity apprentice gig.
Then, he died:
http://juanitajean.com/no-he-just-wishes-he-was/
Got a theory. As rump has been quoted, anyone who insults or crosses him will be destroyed. He HATES them. The mooch had some classic gangster putdowns of rump, all true, during the primaries and divulged a liking for Clinton.
The last 11 days was rump’s vengeance on Mooch, and the mesmerized fuck Mooch swallowed all of it.
Everyone who comes into contact with rump ends up shampooing his crotch.
I’ll bet rump ghostwrote the Mooch’s profane bloviations to Ryan Lizza too. Go ahead, do this for me Mooch and show me how you will debase yourself in my name, was rump’s thinking.
Forget dementia. This is a full-blown psychotic psychopath in high season.
Again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-euUBK7LQXQ
Look what you have done, republicans. Look what you have done you dead fucking filth.
And look at these Christian murderous filth, blessing fascism and the destruction of the United States of America.
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2017/07/well-he-certainly-does-have-some.html
The mooch missed the birth of his child from natch, his estranged wife ..
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/30/anthony-scaramuccis-congratulated-estranged-wife-birth-child/
… to debase himself at rump’s behest for 11 days and lose his celebrity apprentice gig.
Then, he died:
http://juanitajean.com/no-he-just-wishes-he-was/
Got a theory. As rump has been quoted, anyone who insults or crosses him will be destroyed. He HATES them. The mooch had some classic gangster putdowns of rump, all true, during the primaries and divulged a liking for Clinton.
The last 11 days was rump’s vengeance on Mooch, and the mesmerized fuck Mooch swallowed all of it.
Everyone who comes into contact with rump ends up shampooing his crotch.
I’ll bet rump ghostwrote the Mooch’s profane bloviations to Ryan Lizza too. Go ahead, do this for me Mooch and show me how you will debase yourself in my name, was rump’s thinking.
Forget dementia. This is a full-blown psychotic psychopath in high season.
Again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-euUBK7LQXQ
Look what you have done, republicans. Look what you have done you dead fucking filth.
And look at these Christian murderous filth, blessing fascism and the destruction of the United States of America.
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2017/07/well-he-certainly-does-have-some.html
he does not understand the nature, responsibilities, or limits of the office.
i was listening to somebody on the radio talk about trump being an authoritarian. i don’t think he knows what that is. i doubt he has any particular ambition to be a dictator, it’s just that by temperament and habit, that is the kind of political leader he will inevitably be.
he has never had to answer to anyone in any meaningful way, he has never had to operate anything on any kind of transparent basis. he started out with nine figures, and the only thing he has ever been is head of the family business, and a reality TV personality.
he has absolutely no idea what he is doing.
maybe kelly will break it down for him in a form he can understand and he’ll get his shit together. it would require a fairly enormous change of perspective on his part. a truly profound one, a metanoia. the man is 70, and he gives no evidence of a capacity for self-reflection, or even the most basic degree of impulse control.
it’s not impossible, but it’s not likely.
cracks are starting to show in congressional (R) support. he needs to turn himself around, or else he’s probably a short-timer.
if it turns out that way, i really really really hope the initiative comes from the (R)’s. probably fewer unhinged patriots going off their nut that way.
we’ll see what happens.
he does not understand the nature, responsibilities, or limits of the office.
i was listening to somebody on the radio talk about trump being an authoritarian. i don’t think he knows what that is. i doubt he has any particular ambition to be a dictator, it’s just that by temperament and habit, that is the kind of political leader he will inevitably be.
he has never had to answer to anyone in any meaningful way, he has never had to operate anything on any kind of transparent basis. he started out with nine figures, and the only thing he has ever been is head of the family business, and a reality TV personality.
he has absolutely no idea what he is doing.
maybe kelly will break it down for him in a form he can understand and he’ll get his shit together. it would require a fairly enormous change of perspective on his part. a truly profound one, a metanoia. the man is 70, and he gives no evidence of a capacity for self-reflection, or even the most basic degree of impulse control.
it’s not impossible, but it’s not likely.
cracks are starting to show in congressional (R) support. he needs to turn himself around, or else he’s probably a short-timer.
if it turns out that way, i really really really hope the initiative comes from the (R)’s. probably fewer unhinged patriots going off their nut that way.
we’ll see what happens.
he does not understand the nature, responsibilities, or limits of the office.
It’s mostly about cracking jokes in front of a bunch of cops.
he does not understand the nature, responsibilities, or limits of the office.
It’s mostly about cracking jokes in front of a bunch of cops.
from a friend’s FB feed:
from a friend’s FB feed:
@wj: Or, maybe, we will all discover that he’s right: he really is immune, and he can go on a shooting spree on Fifth Avenue and nothing will happen to him.
@wj: Or, maybe, we will all discover that he’s right: he really is immune, and he can go on a shooting spree on Fifth Avenue and nothing will happen to him.
Calling those of us who have cherrypicked Wikileaks for dirt on Hillary Clinton
People close to power, seeking power, or fantasizing about power, etc
can’t seem to stop punching down
Some punch down on blacks;some on Jews; some on immigrants, many on women in strongly patriarchal societies; some on the small kid in the schoolyard. Roots of fascism. It’s about showing power to a group without taking risks. Find the subaltern everybody hates and kick it.
And Democrats and liberals like to punch down on their Left, miniscule or impotent as it may be. Also fascism.
Do they think they are punching up when they attack Republicans? I think they are, but they may think Repubs are in political power but in every way socially, intellectually and morally inferior so it isn’t so clear.
Always attack power, “speak truth to” power, wherever it may stand? Well, supporting and helping our side, our leaders and bosses, when attacked by those out of power and marginalized feels authoritarian and proto-fascist to me. Until they become so vulnerable that in supporting them you get ostracized probably best to stay adversarial. That doesn’t mean you have to join in every fight, but if in doubt about say a fight between Native Americans and Obama, it is I think best to stand aside and watch rather than help. Obama never needs your help.
Of course every marginalized or minority group isn’t equally worth protecting.
Calling those of us who have cherrypicked Wikileaks for dirt on Hillary Clinton
People close to power, seeking power, or fantasizing about power, etc
can’t seem to stop punching down
Some punch down on blacks;some on Jews; some on immigrants, many on women in strongly patriarchal societies; some on the small kid in the schoolyard. Roots of fascism. It’s about showing power to a group without taking risks. Find the subaltern everybody hates and kick it.
And Democrats and liberals like to punch down on their Left, miniscule or impotent as it may be. Also fascism.
Do they think they are punching up when they attack Republicans? I think they are, but they may think Repubs are in political power but in every way socially, intellectually and morally inferior so it isn’t so clear.
Always attack power, “speak truth to” power, wherever it may stand? Well, supporting and helping our side, our leaders and bosses, when attacked by those out of power and marginalized feels authoritarian and proto-fascist to me. Until they become so vulnerable that in supporting them you get ostracized probably best to stay adversarial. That doesn’t mean you have to join in every fight, but if in doubt about say a fight between Native Americans and Obama, it is I think best to stand aside and watch rather than help. Obama never needs your help.
Of course every marginalized or minority group isn’t equally worth protecting.
“[Trump] can go on a shooting spree on Fifth Avenue and nothing will happen to him.”
Hey, how about Trump tries that in Florida first? I hear they have a ‘stand your ground’ law that solves all kinds of problems. NRA/Count approved!
“[Trump] can go on a shooting spree on Fifth Avenue and nothing will happen to him.”
Hey, how about Trump tries that in Florida first? I hear they have a ‘stand your ground’ law that solves all kinds of problems. NRA/Count approved!
maybe, we will all discover that he’s right: he really is immune
Immune in the minds of his fans, quite possibly. But beyond that…? Ha!
maybe, we will all discover that he’s right: he really is immune
Immune in the minds of his fans, quite possibly. But beyond that…? Ha!
New Google algorithm restricts access to left-wing, progressive web sites 7/27/15, WSWS
“Google continued, “Last month, we updated our Search Quality Rater Guidelines to provide more detailed examples of low-quality webpages for raters to appropriately flag.” These moderators are instructed to flag “upsetting user experiences””
In the three months since Google implemented the changes to its search engine, fewer people have accessed left-wing and anti-war news sites. Based on information available on Alexa analytics, other sites that have experienced sharp drops in ranking include WikiLeaks, Alternet, Counterpunch, Global Research, Consortium News and Truthout. Even prominent democratic rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International appear to have been hit.”
New Google algorithm restricts access to left-wing, progressive web sites 7/27/15, WSWS
“Google continued, “Last month, we updated our Search Quality Rater Guidelines to provide more detailed examples of low-quality webpages for raters to appropriately flag.” These moderators are instructed to flag “upsetting user experiences””
In the three months since Google implemented the changes to its search engine, fewer people have accessed left-wing and anti-war news sites. Based on information available on Alexa analytics, other sites that have experienced sharp drops in ranking include WikiLeaks, Alternet, Counterpunch, Global Research, Consortium News and Truthout. Even prominent democratic rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International appear to have been hit.”
New Google algorithm restricts access to left-wing, progressive web sites
no, it doesn’t. Google doesn’t control access to anything.
that have experienced sharp drops in ranking include WikiLeaks, Alternet, Counterpunch, Global Research, Consortium News and Truthout
that’s probably because smart people have been blocking these trashbins from their FB feeds.
New Google algorithm restricts access to left-wing, progressive web sites
no, it doesn’t. Google doesn’t control access to anything.
that have experienced sharp drops in ranking include WikiLeaks, Alternet, Counterpunch, Global Research, Consortium News and Truthout
that’s probably because smart people have been blocking these trashbins from their FB feeds.
You can’t make this stuff up.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/kushner-interns-trump-team-too-211245367.html
You can’t make this stuff up.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/kushner-interns-trump-team-too-211245367.html
I’ve resisted the psychologizing about President Clickbait that has floated around the internet for more than a year, although I’ve been entertained by some of it. But today I’m going to indulge.
Kelly will operate as a father figure for PC — stern, implacable — and that changes the entire dynamic. Whatever PC is with other people, I’d bet anything he didn’t act that way in relation to his father.
This is not a good thing for the rest of us. (Kelly+Bannon? Yech.)
Also, back when father Fred was being mentioned more often, did anyone else notice that there was never a word about PC’s mother?
I’ve resisted the psychologizing about President Clickbait that has floated around the internet for more than a year, although I’ve been entertained by some of it. But today I’m going to indulge.
Kelly will operate as a father figure for PC — stern, implacable — and that changes the entire dynamic. Whatever PC is with other people, I’d bet anything he didn’t act that way in relation to his father.
This is not a good thing for the rest of us. (Kelly+Bannon? Yech.)
Also, back when father Fred was being mentioned more often, did anyone else notice that there was never a word about PC’s mother?
Oy vey!
http://www.npr.org/2017/08/01/540783715/lawsuit-alleges-fox-news-and-trump-supporter-created-fake-news-story
Oy vey!
http://www.npr.org/2017/08/01/540783715/lawsuit-alleges-fox-news-and-trump-supporter-created-fake-news-story
“that’s probably because smart people have been blocking these trashbins from their FB feeds.”
This from the hero of Balloon Juice?
“that’s probably because smart people have been blocking these trashbins from their FB feeds.”
This from the hero of Balloon Juice?
This sort of in-fighting used to bother me. Now it’s kind of entertaining.
This sort of in-fighting used to bother me. Now it’s kind of entertaining.
This from the hero of Balloon Juice?
not sure anybody has called me that before. i like it!
but yes, those are all terrible web sites and people should feel terrible for reading them.
This from the hero of Balloon Juice?
not sure anybody has called me that before. i like it!
but yes, those are all terrible web sites and people should feel terrible for reading them.
Kelly will operate as a father figure for PC — stern, implacable — and that changes the entire dynamic
with the same amateur-psych caveat as you, I could also see it play out this way. although i’d actually see that as a positive,
On the evening of May 14, Butowsky leaves a voicemail for Wheeler
for a brief but exhilarating moment, I read that as “Blutarsky”.
the comedy gods have been very generous – “the Mooch”? – but I guess even they can only go so far.
Kelly will operate as a father figure for PC — stern, implacable — and that changes the entire dynamic
with the same amateur-psych caveat as you, I could also see it play out this way. although i’d actually see that as a positive,
On the evening of May 14, Butowsky leaves a voicemail for Wheeler
for a brief but exhilarating moment, I read that as “Blutarsky”.
the comedy gods have been very generous – “the Mooch”? – but I guess even they can only go so far.
During a live TV interview with Foxnews’ Sean Hannity, in responding to a question about whether President Trump should continue CSR payments under the ACA, Sen. Blutarsky said “See if you can guess what I am now” and then blew a masticated hard boiled egg all over Mr. Hannity’s face. Applause and laughter could be heard in the background of the Foxnews set.
During a live TV interview with Foxnews’ Sean Hannity, in responding to a question about whether President Trump should continue CSR payments under the ACA, Sen. Blutarsky said “See if you can guess what I am now” and then blew a masticated hard boiled egg all over Mr. Hannity’s face. Applause and laughter could be heard in the background of the Foxnews set.
I can’t get off the island.
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/politically-correct-lord-of-the-flies
I can’t get off the island.
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/politically-correct-lord-of-the-flies
Another open thread topic, robot invented language. The part I like is at the end where it points out that we have no way to translate the new language into English, there are no native AI speakers:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technology/facebook-shuts-down-robots-after-they-invent-their-own-language/ar-AApeJzt?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp
Another open thread topic, robot invented language. The part I like is at the end where it points out that we have no way to translate the new language into English, there are no native AI speakers:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technology/facebook-shuts-down-robots-after-they-invent-their-own-language/ar-AApeJzt?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp
I can’t get off the island.
not so long ago, the place my wife works was going to have a work lunch. they were going to provide food – sandwiches and chips. they sent an email saying it was going to be a “brown bag lunch”. people complained that “brown bag” was racist.
I can’t get off the island.
not so long ago, the place my wife works was going to have a work lunch. they were going to provide food – sandwiches and chips. they sent an email saying it was going to be a “brown bag lunch”. people complained that “brown bag” was racist.
c’mon cleek, surely that was a joke? surely… (she says desperately)
c’mon cleek, surely that was a joke? surely… (she says desperately)
sadly, nope.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Paper_Bag_Test
sadly, nope.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Paper_Bag_Test
I wonder if enthusiasts for political correctness (in its extreme forms, not when it is merely politeness) ever realize that this kind of over-the-top hysteria undermines their entire position.
I wonder if enthusiasts for political correctness (in its extreme forms, not when it is merely politeness) ever realize that this kind of over-the-top hysteria undermines their entire position.
We have reached a new threshold. 538 reports that Rasmussen now has Trump’s approval rating below 40%.
Perhaps their respondents are tired of winning…?
We have reached a new threshold. 538 reports that Rasmussen now has Trump’s approval rating below 40%.
Perhaps their respondents are tired of winning…?
Err, sorry cleek, the hero snark was a little sharper than I intended.
Err, sorry cleek, the hero snark was a little sharper than I intended.
s’all good, Yama.
s’all good, Yama.
Well, that whole phenomenon (in cleek’s Brown Paper Bag Test link) is deeply depressing, if unsurprising. But that people should object to a “brown bag lunch” now? On the other hand, if you’re from a family that remembers the admission test from the 50s, I guess it would stir terrible memories. But still, I’m with wj in his 01.50.
Well, that whole phenomenon (in cleek’s Brown Paper Bag Test link) is deeply depressing, if unsurprising. But that people should object to a “brown bag lunch” now? On the other hand, if you’re from a family that remembers the admission test from the 50s, I guess it would stir terrible memories. But still, I’m with wj in his 01.50.
I (do not) miss the days when the brown paper fight was over coffee filters.
I (do not) miss the days when the brown paper fight was over coffee filters.
I dunno, Marty, Alice and Bob seem to have relatively coherent political positions. I say turn them loose on the old Monty Python argument sketch. Toss in Blutarsky and some beat poets.
(I may have unmasked the Count?)
I dunno, Marty, Alice and Bob seem to have relatively coherent political positions. I say turn them loose on the old Monty Python argument sketch. Toss in Blutarsky and some beat poets.
(I may have unmasked the Count?)
Speaking of the Count, anyone catch the Netflix Series of Unfortunate Events? I was charmed but my wife had nightmares.
Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton. Together there were the best thing since Barney Rubble (what an actor).
Speaking of the Count, anyone catch the Netflix Series of Unfortunate Events? I was charmed but my wife had nightmares.
Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton. Together there were the best thing since Barney Rubble (what an actor).
But that people should object to a “brown bag lunch” now?
it almost seems like point-scoring.
anyone suggesting a ‘brown bag’ lunch is obviously using a common name for a common item in a common situation – it’s completely innocent. but someone knew of the ‘brown bag test’ and used it to shame another person for basically no reason.
what’s accomplished? everyone learns an icky bit of history. but we have to find another way to describe what kids have been carrying their lunch in since the beginning of time. not worth it.
But that people should object to a “brown bag lunch” now?
it almost seems like point-scoring.
anyone suggesting a ‘brown bag’ lunch is obviously using a common name for a common item in a common situation – it’s completely innocent. but someone knew of the ‘brown bag test’ and used it to shame another person for basically no reason.
what’s accomplished? everyone learns an icky bit of history. but we have to find another way to describe what kids have been carrying their lunch in since the beginning of time. not worth it.
who would be shocked to learn that a bunch of the big brains in the Trump WH fell for an email prank ?
who would be shocked to learn that a bunch of the big brains in the Trump WH fell for an email prank ?
Speaking of the Count, anyone catch the Netflix Series of Unfortunate Events?
I read the books, charming but the joke was decreasingly effective as the series went on. The Count’s resemblance to Count Olaf is only noticeable when he is talking about the GOP.
Speaking of the Count, anyone catch the Netflix Series of Unfortunate Events?
I read the books, charming but the joke was decreasingly effective as the series went on. The Count’s resemblance to Count Olaf is only noticeable when he is talking about the GOP.
I guess I’d be treated differently depending on whether it was summer or winter if I were subject to the brown paper bag test. People are weird.
I guess I’d be treated differently depending on whether it was summer or winter if I were subject to the brown paper bag test. People are weird.
the eyes on the prize concept seems in short supply nowadays
the eyes on the prize concept seems in short supply nowadays
nanoaggression
nanoaggression
Russell, might that be because the current fashion is for form over substance? (Certainly that is the preference from the top at the White House currently. But it’s hardly unique.)
Russell, might that be because the current fashion is for form over substance? (Certainly that is the preference from the top at the White House currently. But it’s hardly unique.)
Checked out the link Marty posted, and there was another article linked there about sex robots, so of course I had to look. The world continues to be a strange place. One line from the article:
“Doll brothels already operate in South Korea, Japan and Spain, while the first robotic oral sex coffee shop opened in Paddington, west London, last year.”
Checked out the link Marty posted, and there was another article linked there about sex robots, so of course I had to look. The world continues to be a strange place. One line from the article:
“Doll brothels already operate in South Korea, Japan and Spain, while the first robotic oral sex coffee shop opened in Paddington, west London, last year.”
Talking of sex robots, I was reading an article about a current version which has 4 “personality” settings, one of which is “frigid”. The mind boggles, unless (and this is probably it) it’s so the man can enjoy a “rape” experience.
Talking of sex robots, I was reading an article about a current version which has 4 “personality” settings, one of which is “frigid”. The mind boggles, unless (and this is probably it) it’s so the man can enjoy a “rape” experience.
I’m not ready to know about sex robots, or their personalities. Maybe in 2018.
I’m not ready to know about sex robots, or their personalities. Maybe in 2018.
“there are no native AI speakers”
Speak for yourself, meatbag.
“there are no native AI speakers”
Speak for yourself, meatbag.
apparently the more interesting outcome of the negotiating chatbots is that they figured out how to lie, as a negotiating tactic.
apparently the more interesting outcome of the negotiating chatbots is that they figured out how to lie, as a negotiating tactic.
From the sex-robot article:
No pun intended, of course.
From the sex-robot article:
No pun intended, of course.
@hsh: rolls eyes.
@hsh: rolls eyes.
This could have been from a lot of people here:
“Dying party”? Sounds like what a lot of liberals call the GOP. Except that this isn’t from a liberal. It’s from Senator Flake’s new book. Which may be why one of the most solid conservatives in the Senate is being called a liberal by the far-right noise machine.
This could have been from a lot of people here:
“Dying party”? Sounds like what a lot of liberals call the GOP. Except that this isn’t from a liberal. It’s from Senator Flake’s new book. Which may be why one of the most solid conservatives in the Senate is being called a liberal by the far-right noise machine.
An eye-roll is better than a groan, right?
An eye-roll is better than a groan, right?
sadly, people wearing “Fnck Your Feelings. TRUMP!” shirts aren’t interested in broadening the electorate.
i heard Flake on NPR a couple of days ago and was impressed that he recognized and talked frankly about this stuff. (sure, i completely disagree with him on policy – but he’s not talking about policy here).
then i thought about the ginormous media industry that’s built around riling up the “conservative” base (in order to fleece them). and then i pitied Flake, because it will probably crush him.
sadly, people wearing “Fnck Your Feelings. TRUMP!” shirts aren’t interested in broadening the electorate.
i heard Flake on NPR a couple of days ago and was impressed that he recognized and talked frankly about this stuff. (sure, i completely disagree with him on policy – but he’s not talking about policy here).
then i thought about the ginormous media industry that’s built around riling up the “conservative” base (in order to fleece them). and then i pitied Flake, because it will probably crush him.
then i thought about the ginormous media industry that’s built around riling up the “conservative” base (in order to fleece them).
I go back to a little over a year ago, when I had a fairly long conversation during a car ride with a conservative friend of mine. He was no Trump supporter by any stretch, but he despised Clinton and Obama.
He was convinced that Clinton would steal everything in the White House, since he believe the story that the Clintons already tried to steal stuff from the White House when Bill left office. He was also convinced that Obama was “ruining the country.”
I wasn’t familiar enough with the Clinton story at the time to debunk it, though it had the scent of faux outrage.
When I pressed for details on how Obama was ruining the country, the first response was a restatement that he was ruining the country using different words, but at no greater level of detail. Then he moved on to not liking the AG and this or that decision, all of which fell well short of “ruining the country.”
I chalk it up to long-term consumption of Fox News and the like. I don’t think he was far enough gone to be an InfoWars follower. At the worst, maybe Breitbart or Drudge.
At any rate, there’s profit to be made from inciting political outrage in a fairly large segment of the population, and it seems that the set of politically conservative people overlaps with those who are readily subject to the incitement of political outrage far more greatly than does the set of politically liberal people.
This dovetails nicely with the GOP’s free-market, corporatist agenda, in pursuit of which they are able to get people to vote against their own self-interests, so long as you can instill in them and reinforce the generalized sense that it’s liberals and Democrats who are to blame for, well … just about everything – real or imagined.
The individual stories don’t even matter in the long run. They can be consumed and forgotten in a continuous stream, so long as they constantly reinforce the gut-level distrust and hatred for the people whose feelings need to be fncked.
then i thought about the ginormous media industry that’s built around riling up the “conservative” base (in order to fleece them).
I go back to a little over a year ago, when I had a fairly long conversation during a car ride with a conservative friend of mine. He was no Trump supporter by any stretch, but he despised Clinton and Obama.
He was convinced that Clinton would steal everything in the White House, since he believe the story that the Clintons already tried to steal stuff from the White House when Bill left office. He was also convinced that Obama was “ruining the country.”
I wasn’t familiar enough with the Clinton story at the time to debunk it, though it had the scent of faux outrage.
When I pressed for details on how Obama was ruining the country, the first response was a restatement that he was ruining the country using different words, but at no greater level of detail. Then he moved on to not liking the AG and this or that decision, all of which fell well short of “ruining the country.”
I chalk it up to long-term consumption of Fox News and the like. I don’t think he was far enough gone to be an InfoWars follower. At the worst, maybe Breitbart or Drudge.
At any rate, there’s profit to be made from inciting political outrage in a fairly large segment of the population, and it seems that the set of politically conservative people overlaps with those who are readily subject to the incitement of political outrage far more greatly than does the set of politically liberal people.
This dovetails nicely with the GOP’s free-market, corporatist agenda, in pursuit of which they are able to get people to vote against their own self-interests, so long as you can instill in them and reinforce the generalized sense that it’s liberals and Democrats who are to blame for, well … just about everything – real or imagined.
The individual stories don’t even matter in the long run. They can be consumed and forgotten in a continuous stream, so long as they constantly reinforce the gut-level distrust and hatred for the people whose feelings need to be fncked.
This dovetails nicely with the GOP’s free-market, corporatist agenda, …
Corporatist yes. Free-market, not so much. Bill Clinton was more free-market than most of the current crop of Republicans seem to be.
This dovetails nicely with the GOP’s free-market, corporatist agenda, …
Corporatist yes. Free-market, not so much. Bill Clinton was more free-market than most of the current crop of Republicans seem to be.
Okay, but a sex robot brothel? One hopes they are self-cleaning.
Okay, but a sex robot brothel? One hopes they are self-cleaning.
Ostensibly free-market, but actually titled in favor of major donors. Is that better?
Ostensibly free-market, but actually titled in favor of major donors. Is that better?
“Titled in favor of major donors” can be said about both sides.
“Titled in favor of major donors” can be said about both sides.
Right. But one doesn’t incessantly crow about free markets when any remotely economic issue comes up.
Right. But one doesn’t incessantly crow about free markets when any remotely economic issue comes up.
But one doesn’t incessantly crow about free markets when any remotely economic issue comes up.
The FREE MARKET cures warts!!!”
’nuff said, right?
But one doesn’t incessantly crow about free markets when any remotely economic issue comes up.
The FREE MARKET cures warts!!!”
’nuff said, right?
If I put that in ” ” I get ‘Did you mean “the free market causes warts”?’ 🙂
If I put that in ” ” I get ‘Did you mean “the free market causes warts”?’ 🙂
Should he achieve nothing of legislative significance, Trump will nonetheless have long term influence:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/08/clarence-thomas-legal-vision-is-becoming-a-trump-era-reality.html
Should he achieve nothing of legislative significance, Trump will nonetheless have long term influence:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/08/clarence-thomas-legal-vision-is-becoming-a-trump-era-reality.html
rule of law
thank you, senators
rule of law
thank you, senators
It is rather interesting that, now that we have (one hopes!) put the ACA repeal effort behind us, there are several examples of Senators joining in bipartisan efforts on a number of topics. Including even health care reform. McConnell seems determined to stick to the strictly partisan approach to things, but it seems like his chamber may be deciding to ignore him.
Now if only things in the House will head down the same road….
It is rather interesting that, now that we have (one hopes!) put the ACA repeal effort behind us, there are several examples of Senators joining in bipartisan efforts on a number of topics. Including even health care reform. McConnell seems determined to stick to the strictly partisan approach to things, but it seems like his chamber may be deciding to ignore him.
Now if only things in the House will head down the same road….
Planet of Cops Freddie Deboer, via Naked Capitalism
“The irony of our vibrant and necessary police reform movement is that it’s happening simultaneously to everyone becoming a cop. I mean everyone — liberal, conservative, radical and reactionary. Blogger, activist, pundit, and writer, obviously, but also teacher, tailor, and candlestick maker. Cops, all of them. Cops everywhere. Everybody a cop.”
This is the commodification of social reproduction and personal interaction and relationships as the rate of profit falls.
Not a fan of FdB, he evidences too much of the moralism he decries and attacks his targets and enemies as if he could change them.
And he is wrong at the end (nd many other places) to say the idea of the panopticon was wrong. No, since he talks about the non-judgemental 60s, the idea of the panopticon was right at the time. The Panop as an internalized external authority, still also created a place to rebel, and a place to withdraw, like hippies.
But history and the forces of production have moved on, and in late capitalism, they need to maximize personal initiative and creativity. So there is no longer any external authority maybe watching (in advanced sites) and rules (social relations) are made in such complicated and distributed ways that it looks like chaos. Since it is inside us and we are making it, it is really hard to see.
Who is in control in the control society? We are, but the processes become ever more invisible, hidden in freedom and markets and justice and growth so the gap between being in control and seeing it saying it (the prole for itself) becomes ever greater.
So yeah, we’re all cops (and critics), but this is mostly determined by materialist forces. Part of the neoliberal privatization like schools campaign is to individualize what had been institutional and the common so as to offload the costs of social reproduction.
(Dogsitting. Listening to a cable music channel, masks outside barking. Classical. Bax? Danzi? Dopper? Flasch?)
Planet of Cops Freddie Deboer, via Naked Capitalism
“The irony of our vibrant and necessary police reform movement is that it’s happening simultaneously to everyone becoming a cop. I mean everyone — liberal, conservative, radical and reactionary. Blogger, activist, pundit, and writer, obviously, but also teacher, tailor, and candlestick maker. Cops, all of them. Cops everywhere. Everybody a cop.”
This is the commodification of social reproduction and personal interaction and relationships as the rate of profit falls.
Not a fan of FdB, he evidences too much of the moralism he decries and attacks his targets and enemies as if he could change them.
And he is wrong at the end (nd many other places) to say the idea of the panopticon was wrong. No, since he talks about the non-judgemental 60s, the idea of the panopticon was right at the time. The Panop as an internalized external authority, still also created a place to rebel, and a place to withdraw, like hippies.
But history and the forces of production have moved on, and in late capitalism, they need to maximize personal initiative and creativity. So there is no longer any external authority maybe watching (in advanced sites) and rules (social relations) are made in such complicated and distributed ways that it looks like chaos. Since it is inside us and we are making it, it is really hard to see.
Who is in control in the control society? We are, but the processes become ever more invisible, hidden in freedom and markets and justice and growth so the gap between being in control and seeing it saying it (the prole for itself) becomes ever greater.
So yeah, we’re all cops (and critics), but this is mostly determined by materialist forces. Part of the neoliberal privatization like schools campaign is to individualize what had been institutional and the common so as to offload the costs of social reproduction.
(Dogsitting. Listening to a cable music channel, masks outside barking. Classical. Bax? Danzi? Dopper? Flasch?)
“So yeah, we’re all cops”
We’re not cops unless we get to shoot people when we feel ‘fear’, with zero, or close to zero, consequence.
If that is actually the case, someone please alert Count.
Tell him ‘activate plan FUNRAGOP (FU.NRA.GOP or FUN.RAG.OP?)’
“So yeah, we’re all cops”
We’re not cops unless we get to shoot people when we feel ‘fear’, with zero, or close to zero, consequence.
If that is actually the case, someone please alert Count.
Tell him ‘activate plan FUNRAGOP (FU.NRA.GOP or FUN.RAG.OP?)’
Well, perhaps we can get treated like cops when we misbehave (i.e. break the law):
Well, perhaps we can get treated like cops when we misbehave (i.e. break the law):
Well, perhaps we can get treated like cops when we misbehave (i.e. break the law):
I would prefer being treated like a big time corporate CEO…(maybe) lose job, slap on the wrist, golden parachute.
Socialism for the well off is indeed a social marvel to behold.
Well, perhaps we can get treated like cops when we misbehave (i.e. break the law):
I would prefer being treated like a big time corporate CEO…(maybe) lose job, slap on the wrist, golden parachute.
Socialism for the well off is indeed a social marvel to behold.
We’re in an empire that is collapsing into feudalism. With all the legal/class distinctions that entails:
Royalty: billionaires, high level politicians
Nobility: multi-millionaires, lower level politicians
Knights, Barons: LEOs, LEO commanders
Peons: us.
Each group can sh!t on the lower groups, with few consequences, have to tread carefully around their ‘peers’, and face dire outcomes for messing with those higher up on the ladder.
Equality before the law? It was nice, while it lasted.
We’re in an empire that is collapsing into feudalism. With all the legal/class distinctions that entails:
Royalty: billionaires, high level politicians
Nobility: multi-millionaires, lower level politicians
Knights, Barons: LEOs, LEO commanders
Peons: us.
Each group can sh!t on the lower groups, with few consequences, have to tread carefully around their ‘peers’, and face dire outcomes for messing with those higher up on the ladder.
Equality before the law? It was nice, while it lasted.
Equality before the law? It was nice, while it lasted.
It’s always been a mixed bag. In many, many, many ways, things are better now than they have been.
Not all ways, but many.
Meanwhile, we have a grand jury.
The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.
Equality before the law? It was nice, while it lasted.
It’s always been a mixed bag. In many, many, many ways, things are better now than they have been.
Not all ways, but many.
Meanwhile, we have a grand jury.
The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.
The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.
With you on this, russell. Starting to come out of the doldrums. Cautiously.
The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.
With you on this, russell. Starting to come out of the doldrums. Cautiously.
We’re in an empire that is collapsing into feudalism. With all the legal/class distinctions that entails…
Hmm, perhaps time to think about starting a mountaintop monastery…
We’re in an empire that is collapsing into feudalism. With all the legal/class distinctions that entails…
Hmm, perhaps time to think about starting a mountaintop monastery…
The question that empaneling a grand jury raises in my mind is: Who is being flipped? And what are they testifying to?
The subsidiary question being, at what point do things get close enough that we get full scale tweet blasts for days on end?
The question that empaneling a grand jury raises in my mind is: Who is being flipped? And what are they testifying to?
The subsidiary question being, at what point do things get close enough that we get full scale tweet blasts for days on end?
i’d like to think that all the people Trump has fired recently are severely disgruntled and are all leaking drip-by-drop all the wacky shit they’ve seen go down in the WH. and after a few more months of this, the ultimate result will be … all the people Trump has pretended to say “You’re fired!” to will end up being the facilitators of his downfall.
but, the universe grants me few wishes… so i assume he’ll skate.
i’d like to think that all the people Trump has fired recently are severely disgruntled and are all leaking drip-by-drop all the wacky shit they’ve seen go down in the WH. and after a few more months of this, the ultimate result will be … all the people Trump has pretended to say “You’re fired!” to will end up being the facilitators of his downfall.
but, the universe grants me few wishes… so i assume he’ll skate.
So yeah, we’re all cops (and critics), but this is mostly determined by materialist forces. Part of the neoliberal privatization like schools campaign is to individualize what had been institutional and the common so as to offload the costs of social reproduction.
I don’t recall running into you in The Matrix, bob, but welcome. “Social reproduction”, I love it.
🙂
best regards,
So yeah, we’re all cops (and critics), but this is mostly determined by materialist forces. Part of the neoliberal privatization like schools campaign is to individualize what had been institutional and the common so as to offload the costs of social reproduction.
I don’t recall running into you in The Matrix, bob, but welcome. “Social reproduction”, I love it.
🙂
best regards,
Well, perhaps we can get treated like cops when we misbehave (i.e. break the law)
America’s police agencies don’t have rubber rooms, but they have a situation that’s equally disturbing. They have lists—often long ones—of officers found to have engaged in “moral turpitude.” These are referred to as Brady lists, which refers to a 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision (Brady v. Maryland) in which the prosecution withheld evidence favorable to the defendant in a murder trial. The court ruled that prosecutors must provide the defense with any such relevant information.
“Subsequent case law has decreed that an arresting or witnessing officer’s past record for certain work performance deficiencies including moral turpitude is a factor which might impair the officer’s credibility on the witness stand” and therefore also needs to be disclosed, …
This includes “founded administrative investigations” involving immoral conduct; bribes, gifts and favors; misappropriation of property; tampering with evidence; false statements and the failure to make statements during internal-affairs investigations. The lists also include those accused of police brutality and domestic violence.
These are serious allegations that, in a sane system, could lead to an officer’s firing. But these officers remain on the job even though their past behavior could undermine the veracity of the criminal cases prosecutors are pursuing.
Police, Teachers Unions Protect Workers at Expense of Public: It’s how their rules were made to work.
Well, perhaps we can get treated like cops when we misbehave (i.e. break the law)
America’s police agencies don’t have rubber rooms, but they have a situation that’s equally disturbing. They have lists—often long ones—of officers found to have engaged in “moral turpitude.” These are referred to as Brady lists, which refers to a 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision (Brady v. Maryland) in which the prosecution withheld evidence favorable to the defendant in a murder trial. The court ruled that prosecutors must provide the defense with any such relevant information.
“Subsequent case law has decreed that an arresting or witnessing officer’s past record for certain work performance deficiencies including moral turpitude is a factor which might impair the officer’s credibility on the witness stand” and therefore also needs to be disclosed, …
This includes “founded administrative investigations” involving immoral conduct; bribes, gifts and favors; misappropriation of property; tampering with evidence; false statements and the failure to make statements during internal-affairs investigations. The lists also include those accused of police brutality and domestic violence.
These are serious allegations that, in a sane system, could lead to an officer’s firing. But these officers remain on the job even though their past behavior could undermine the veracity of the criminal cases prosecutors are pursuing.
Police, Teachers Unions Protect Workers at Expense of Public: It’s how their rules were made to work.
Somebody recently (may have been russell) demurred when I said that the way Trump speaks in recent times indicates he may have cognitive deterioration. I’ve just read this article about the Australian PM/Trump transcript of the refugee conversation (not the transcript itself, reading the whole thing would probably make me want to rip my own head off – gift for ral), and it looks indisputable to me that Trump is now a certifiable moron:
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/08/australias-pm-slowly-realizes-trump-is-a-complete-idiot.html
Somebody recently (may have been russell) demurred when I said that the way Trump speaks in recent times indicates he may have cognitive deterioration. I’ve just read this article about the Australian PM/Trump transcript of the refugee conversation (not the transcript itself, reading the whole thing would probably make me want to rip my own head off – gift for ral), and it looks indisputable to me that Trump is now a certifiable moron:
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/08/australias-pm-slowly-realizes-trump-is-a-complete-idiot.html
why do libertarians hate the freedom of assembly?
why do libertarians hate the freedom of assembly?
It’s PULL my own head off, sorry, obviously a sign of my own cognitive deterioration…
It’s PULL my own head off, sorry, obviously a sign of my own cognitive deterioration…
it looks indisputable to me that Trump is now a certifiable moron
the evidence is clearly in your favor.
it looks indisputable to me that Trump is now a certifiable moron
the evidence is clearly in your favor.
He’s an ill-tempered version of Chauncey Gardiner. (I think someone has brought that comparison up before, but this seems like the time to bring it up again.)
He’s an ill-tempered version of Chauncey Gardiner. (I think someone has brought that comparison up before, but this seems like the time to bring it up again.)
I drink your milkshake!
Have Some Internet Cops
What is interesting to me here is maybe what G Spivak calls the “strategic essentialism” needed for political feminism, kinda summed up in this quote from the article:
“Can we just get off of feminism and social justice and actually print stories,” one person tweeted, to reiterate, in response to women drinking milkshakes.”
For the “good guys” the picture shows nothing but bodies, no context or history, just women like all other women, drinking milkshakes.
It is the trolls who want to see the young women as historically and politically situated human beings with agency, they aren’t only bodies, “women drinking milkshakes”, they are also and primarily Marvel comic editors who are changing and supposedly ruining a subculture with fifty years history.
“It also follows an April scandal in which Marvel’s VP of Sales David Gabriel appeared to blame character diversity for the company’s recent sales decline. While Gabriel’s stance was music to the ears of a minority of comic book fandom, others rallied, blaming the company’s insistence on crossovers and stories that require the purchasing of multiple different books, and criticising Gabriel for seemingly using non-white characters as an easy scapegoat for the across-the-boards Marvel sales decline.”
This is the kind of thing I watch, the Discourse. Have essentially zero interest in anything Marvelous, but as I have said the Japanese anime industry is also being “feminized” at the production level, more women workers. I like to compare the reaction of consumers in both countries (it’s global) to this trend.
The American anime fans generally like the changes in content that women in anime bring, and are much more attentive to the horrible work conditions in anime production, less-than-subsistence pay and work hours that leave young directors dead at their desks from overwork. But Japan is a country that has active communist and socialist parties.
I drink your milkshake!
Have Some Internet Cops
What is interesting to me here is maybe what G Spivak calls the “strategic essentialism” needed for political feminism, kinda summed up in this quote from the article:
“Can we just get off of feminism and social justice and actually print stories,” one person tweeted, to reiterate, in response to women drinking milkshakes.”
For the “good guys” the picture shows nothing but bodies, no context or history, just women like all other women, drinking milkshakes.
It is the trolls who want to see the young women as historically and politically situated human beings with agency, they aren’t only bodies, “women drinking milkshakes”, they are also and primarily Marvel comic editors who are changing and supposedly ruining a subculture with fifty years history.
“It also follows an April scandal in which Marvel’s VP of Sales David Gabriel appeared to blame character diversity for the company’s recent sales decline. While Gabriel’s stance was music to the ears of a minority of comic book fandom, others rallied, blaming the company’s insistence on crossovers and stories that require the purchasing of multiple different books, and criticising Gabriel for seemingly using non-white characters as an easy scapegoat for the across-the-boards Marvel sales decline.”
This is the kind of thing I watch, the Discourse. Have essentially zero interest in anything Marvelous, but as I have said the Japanese anime industry is also being “feminized” at the production level, more women workers. I like to compare the reaction of consumers in both countries (it’s global) to this trend.
The American anime fans generally like the changes in content that women in anime bring, and are much more attentive to the horrible work conditions in anime production, less-than-subsistence pay and work hours that leave young directors dead at their desks from overwork. But Japan is a country that has active communist and socialist parties.
“Police, Teachers Unions Protect Workers at Expense of Public”
Yeah, it’s a terrible, terrible shame how many innocent people have been gunned down by rogue Teachers.
Or it will be, when the NRA gets their wish of arming all of them.
“Johnny, your answer to 9+4 is wrong! *BLAM!* *BLAM!* *BLAM!*.”
“Okay, Sarah, what’s 7+5?”
Just another day in Texas, amirite?
“Police, Teachers Unions Protect Workers at Expense of Public”
Yeah, it’s a terrible, terrible shame how many innocent people have been gunned down by rogue Teachers.
Or it will be, when the NRA gets their wish of arming all of them.
“Johnny, your answer to 9+4 is wrong! *BLAM!* *BLAM!* *BLAM!*.”
“Okay, Sarah, what’s 7+5?”
Just another day in Texas, amirite?
I’ve not heard of any linkage between communist and socialist parties and manga/anime fans, but that might be just me. There is also a level of misogyny here that I find pretty horrifying. Some stories:
This one from 2014
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/23/world/asia/japan-sexism-heckling/index.html
but just now
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/08/bc7982a014be-focus-female-lawmakers-in-japan-still-face-maternity-harassment.html
This story was a few weeks ago
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/06/22/national/politics-diplomacy/ldp-lawmaker-quit-party-exposed-alleged-abuse-secretary/#.WYR5sNOGPN0
You may say that she deserved it, but the morning shows played the audio type multiple times every morning for a week or so. I am sure that male diet members do the same things to their secretaries (anyone see Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It?). The focussing on her and the playing of the audio tape was a gendered response, but I didn’t hear any Japanese observers even note that. I’m not an LDP fan, but it was pretty atrocious.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/02/japan-women-sexually-harassed-at-work-report-finds
I tend to think that these figures are on the low side.
This isn’t to deny that there is some ‘feminization’ of various industries (and manga and anime are ones where one doesn’t see the producers, so they have that going for them), but the sexual equality landscape in Japan is dismal and I wouldn’t want someone not familiar with Japan to think that things are better here
This article has some interesting stuff.
http://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00171/
I’ve not heard of any linkage between communist and socialist parties and manga/anime fans, but that might be just me. There is also a level of misogyny here that I find pretty horrifying. Some stories:
This one from 2014
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/23/world/asia/japan-sexism-heckling/index.html
but just now
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/08/bc7982a014be-focus-female-lawmakers-in-japan-still-face-maternity-harassment.html
This story was a few weeks ago
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/06/22/national/politics-diplomacy/ldp-lawmaker-quit-party-exposed-alleged-abuse-secretary/#.WYR5sNOGPN0
You may say that she deserved it, but the morning shows played the audio type multiple times every morning for a week or so. I am sure that male diet members do the same things to their secretaries (anyone see Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It?). The focussing on her and the playing of the audio tape was a gendered response, but I didn’t hear any Japanese observers even note that. I’m not an LDP fan, but it was pretty atrocious.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/02/japan-women-sexually-harassed-at-work-report-finds
I tend to think that these figures are on the low side.
This isn’t to deny that there is some ‘feminization’ of various industries (and manga and anime are ones where one doesn’t see the producers, so they have that going for them), but the sexual equality landscape in Japan is dismal and I wouldn’t want someone not familiar with Japan to think that things are better here
This article has some interesting stuff.
http://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00171/
rump’s moronic speech habits in his talk-at-him meeting with the Aussie PM remind me exactly of the manner in which his acolytes speak of the imaginary but malign world around them and rump’s ravings about making it all great again.
Some of them are friends.
But, it also reminds me of every conservative talk-radio broadcast, every Hannity and Fox Friends utterance, nearly every interview with stars of the conservative movement, like Death Palin, any Texan who has managed to get himself anywhere near our government in an official capacity over the past 25 years, and a close sad, sick, paranoid relative who sadly is a certified sociopath.
Charles Pierce has identified this plague as the conservative brain prion disease in his writings.
Something is very wrong.
I strongly recommend a national program of quarantine, and pending a CDC and NIH effort to find a cure or a form of inoculation, I’m afraid we are looking at a situation much like the Plague and Black Death during the Middle Ages or any number of Zombie scenarios in which mass liquidation of the carriers is a tragic but inevitable measure if we retain any hope of saving the United States of America and possibly the world, considering the outbreaks of similar symptoms around the world.
You never see an election in a Zombie movie, do ya, to decide whether or not the Zombies and their policies might be installed in government and see how it goes, though I’m sure zombies don’t care for taxes either?
No, you don’t.
rump’s moronic speech habits in his talk-at-him meeting with the Aussie PM remind me exactly of the manner in which his acolytes speak of the imaginary but malign world around them and rump’s ravings about making it all great again.
Some of them are friends.
But, it also reminds me of every conservative talk-radio broadcast, every Hannity and Fox Friends utterance, nearly every interview with stars of the conservative movement, like Death Palin, any Texan who has managed to get himself anywhere near our government in an official capacity over the past 25 years, and a close sad, sick, paranoid relative who sadly is a certified sociopath.
Charles Pierce has identified this plague as the conservative brain prion disease in his writings.
Something is very wrong.
I strongly recommend a national program of quarantine, and pending a CDC and NIH effort to find a cure or a form of inoculation, I’m afraid we are looking at a situation much like the Plague and Black Death during the Middle Ages or any number of Zombie scenarios in which mass liquidation of the carriers is a tragic but inevitable measure if we retain any hope of saving the United States of America and possibly the world, considering the outbreaks of similar symptoms around the world.
You never see an election in a Zombie movie, do ya, to decide whether or not the Zombies and their policies might be installed in government and see how it goes, though I’m sure zombies don’t care for taxes either?
No, you don’t.
I’m in Birmingham, Alabama seeking out Hatties’s Hot Fried Chicken, heading for Chattanooga this afternoon.
Keep it down, will ya? I can hear you.
I’m in Birmingham, Alabama seeking out Hatties’s Hot Fried Chicken, heading for Chattanooga this afternoon.
Keep it down, will ya? I can hear you.
irony
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/obama-great-gun-business-trumps-terrible-163923519.html
irony
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/obama-great-gun-business-trumps-terrible-163923519.html
Birmingham, birmingham, the greatest city in Alabam’
Hey Count.
But it’s not so much his speech habits that bother me in that transcript, it’s his inability to retain for thirty seconds information he is being patiently given, e.g they (the refugees) are not in prison, and why the Australians are “discriminating against boats” (ye Gods!)
Birmingham, birmingham, the greatest city in Alabam’
Hey Count.
But it’s not so much his speech habits that bother me in that transcript, it’s his inability to retain for thirty seconds information he is being patiently given, e.g they (the refugees) are not in prison, and why the Australians are “discriminating against boats” (ye Gods!)
But not yachts.
Hsh’s gun link reminds me that George Washington despised the militias because just when they needed guns they either didn’t have them, or they didn’t work, or they didn’t know how to use them properly.
Just like now.
But not yachts.
Hsh’s gun link reminds me that George Washington despised the militias because just when they needed guns they either didn’t have them, or they didn’t work, or they didn’t know how to use them properly.
Just like now.
Trump knows that he already knows everything he needs to know about everything worth knowing about.
Trump knows that he already knows everything he needs to know about everything worth knowing about.
Remember, rump learned everything there was to know about nuclear weapons in an hour and a half.
That was thirty-five years ago. Off the back of a Wheaties box.
In a cereal blurb written by a President, Ronald Reagan, who actually did suffer from dementia.
Dementia being the default qualification for leadership for the conservative movement, when it isn’t dimwittedness in a fake drawl a la shrub Bush.
They thought they would give full blown sociopathic stupidity in a suit a go this time around, thinking maybe finally government would finally be destroyed and they could get on with fucking their fellow Americans.
rump updated us during the 2016 by asking “we have so many nukes, so many beautiful beautiful bombs that are very very nuclear. Why CAN’T we use them?
To paraphrase Aristophanes: If this is so hilarious, why is everyone running for their lives?
Remember, rump learned everything there was to know about nuclear weapons in an hour and a half.
That was thirty-five years ago. Off the back of a Wheaties box.
In a cereal blurb written by a President, Ronald Reagan, who actually did suffer from dementia.
Dementia being the default qualification for leadership for the conservative movement, when it isn’t dimwittedness in a fake drawl a la shrub Bush.
They thought they would give full blown sociopathic stupidity in a suit a go this time around, thinking maybe finally government would finally be destroyed and they could get on with fucking their fellow Americans.
rump updated us during the 2016 by asking “we have so many nukes, so many beautiful beautiful bombs that are very very nuclear. Why CAN’T we use them?
To paraphrase Aristophanes: If this is so hilarious, why is everyone running for their lives?
I’m in Birmingham, Alabama seeking out Hatties’s Hot Fried Chicken
One thing I really regret about moving to New England is the almost total absence of really good fried chicken.
Bob the Chef’s, down on Columbus Avenue, could fry a chicken for sure, but they’d smother it in gravy. I prefer mine unadorned. Plus, Bob the Chef’s is gone now.
I was spoiled by my aunt Melba’s fried chicken, which was pure unadulterated range-top southern-fried bliss.
Up here there’s lots of good barbeque these days, but fried chicken just is not a thing.
I’m in Birmingham, Alabama seeking out Hatties’s Hot Fried Chicken
One thing I really regret about moving to New England is the almost total absence of really good fried chicken.
Bob the Chef’s, down on Columbus Avenue, could fry a chicken for sure, but they’d smother it in gravy. I prefer mine unadorned. Plus, Bob the Chef’s is gone now.
I was spoiled by my aunt Melba’s fried chicken, which was pure unadulterated range-top southern-fried bliss.
Up here there’s lots of good barbeque these days, but fried chicken just is not a thing.
C’mon, russell, don’t they have KFC in New England? Jeez…
C’mon, russell, don’t they have KFC in New England? Jeez…
any Texan who has managed to get himself anywhere near our government in an official capacity over the past 25 years
Count, that’s really unfair. Granted, there are some pretty terrible Texans. But there are also some pretty great ones. Can the same be said of, for example, Alabama or Mississippi?
any Texan who has managed to get himself anywhere near our government in an official capacity over the past 25 years
Count, that’s really unfair. Granted, there are some pretty terrible Texans. But there are also some pretty great ones. Can the same be said of, for example, Alabama or Mississippi?
wj,
Alabama and Mississippi have more black elected officials than any other states.
I assume at least a few of them are pretty good.
🙂
wj,
Alabama and Mississippi have more black elected officials than any other states.
I assume at least a few of them are pretty good.
🙂
But most of them are at the county or city level. The condition was that they get “anywhere near our government.” Since we don’t all live in the same city or county (or even state, for that matter), that leaves the federal government.
But most of them are at the county or city level. The condition was that they get “anywhere near our government.” Since we don’t all live in the same city or county (or even state, for that matter), that leaves the federal government.
I was spoiled by my aunt Melba’s fried chicken, which was pure unadulterated range-top southern-fried bliss
I’ve been having southern fried chicken cravings (based on reading Calvin Trillin, not personal experience) for over four years, when I was last in NYC. Nobody wanted to come with me to anywhere semi-fancy (Blue Ribbon) to find it, so I ended up going with a friend to Harlem to a fairly famous place (whose name I forget) but where a) the thought of having it with waffles and syrup revolted me and b) the actual fried chicken was rather disappointing. Now, suddenly, we have lots of hipster-related fried chicken openings (only in London, natch) including Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster (which has had poor reviews), none of which I have yet tried. It’s possible (this would not be unprecedented) that the idea of a dish is better than the dish in real life.
I was spoiled by my aunt Melba’s fried chicken, which was pure unadulterated range-top southern-fried bliss
I’ve been having southern fried chicken cravings (based on reading Calvin Trillin, not personal experience) for over four years, when I was last in NYC. Nobody wanted to come with me to anywhere semi-fancy (Blue Ribbon) to find it, so I ended up going with a friend to Harlem to a fairly famous place (whose name I forget) but where a) the thought of having it with waffles and syrup revolted me and b) the actual fried chicken was rather disappointing. Now, suddenly, we have lots of hipster-related fried chicken openings (only in London, natch) including Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster (which has had poor reviews), none of which I have yet tried. It’s possible (this would not be unprecedented) that the idea of a dish is better than the dish in real life.
honestly, the best fried chicken i’ve had is from fast-food places like Bojangles’ and Popeye’s. and Chik-fil-A makes the best boneless fried chicken.
honestly, the best fried chicken i’ve had is from fast-food places like Bojangles’ and Popeye’s. and Chik-fil-A makes the best boneless fried chicken.
My KFC comment was supposed the be a joke, cleek. Next you’re going to tell us the best pizza you’ve had came from Domino’s.
My KFC comment was supposed the be a joke, cleek. Next you’re going to tell us the best pizza you’ve had came from Domino’s.
best pizza comes from Aniello’s in Corning NY.
KFC was good when i was 10! either they changed or i did. i had some KFC last year and it was terrrrrrrrrible.
best pizza comes from Aniello’s in Corning NY.
KFC was good when i was 10! either they changed or i did. i had some KFC last year and it was terrrrrrrrrible.
Popeye’s is pretty good. I’ve tried all of the hip up market fried chicken where I come from and it’s very good mostly, but like so many simple traditional dishes that are perfectly delicious and cheap, like grits, meatloaf, and a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, once hip entrepreneurs of the modern day get aholt of them, they add balconies that Ayn Rand’s architect would spit on and most of the innovation is in the jacking up of the price.
I can now tell you that Hatties’ was delicious and they served a banana pudding that if you smeared it all over America’s political ethos, tempers would cool considerably and peace would break out on the Korean Peninsula notwithstanding the two crazy people who want it otherwise.
The decent Texans ought to speak up more else I get the wrong idea and treat the lot of them even more unfairly.
North Texas seemed fine and the people friendly this past week as I drove through it. Lots of horizon in all four directions. Had to outrun a Comanche war party led by their Governor and Louis Gohlmert in the panhandle of West Texas but made it to the Pecos River with my scalp intact and my horse still under me.
Popeye’s is pretty good. I’ve tried all of the hip up market fried chicken where I come from and it’s very good mostly, but like so many simple traditional dishes that are perfectly delicious and cheap, like grits, meatloaf, and a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, once hip entrepreneurs of the modern day get aholt of them, they add balconies that Ayn Rand’s architect would spit on and most of the innovation is in the jacking up of the price.
I can now tell you that Hatties’ was delicious and they served a banana pudding that if you smeared it all over America’s political ethos, tempers would cool considerably and peace would break out on the Korean Peninsula notwithstanding the two crazy people who want it otherwise.
The decent Texans ought to speak up more else I get the wrong idea and treat the lot of them even more unfairly.
North Texas seemed fine and the people friendly this past week as I drove through it. Lots of horizon in all four directions. Had to outrun a Comanche war party led by their Governor and Louis Gohlmert in the panhandle of West Texas but made it to the Pecos River with my scalp intact and my horse still under me.
I’m reminded of the Zane Grey novel (I forget which one), in which the cowpokes that were too crazy and violent for Texas left for California.
Or maybe that was just deplorable propaganda. Who can tell?
I’m reminded of the Zane Grey novel (I forget which one), in which the cowpokes that were too crazy and violent for Texas left for California.
Or maybe that was just deplorable propaganda. Who can tell?
It’s possible (this would not be unprecedented) that the idea of a dish is better than the dish in real life.
My aunt’s was the real deal.
I actually don’t mind KFC or Popeye’s. Then again, I’ll eat at McD’s now and then, but I don’t mistake it for the burgers I make at home on the grill.
Southern cuisine is more or less guilty pleasure food for northerners. It comes and goes, fashion-wise, although various forms of BBQ have kind of established themselves here now. You couldn’t get pulled pork north of DC when I was a kid, now it’s everywhere.
My old man, in a moment of nostalgia for his youth, tried to reproduce my aunt’s recipe once. He didn’t understand how hot to make the oil and almost burned the house down.
Real fried chicken takes some practice.
In the UK, you might not be able to find good fried chicken, but I bet you can find excellent jerk meats!
It’s possible (this would not be unprecedented) that the idea of a dish is better than the dish in real life.
My aunt’s was the real deal.
I actually don’t mind KFC or Popeye’s. Then again, I’ll eat at McD’s now and then, but I don’t mistake it for the burgers I make at home on the grill.
Southern cuisine is more or less guilty pleasure food for northerners. It comes and goes, fashion-wise, although various forms of BBQ have kind of established themselves here now. You couldn’t get pulled pork north of DC when I was a kid, now it’s everywhere.
My old man, in a moment of nostalgia for his youth, tried to reproduce my aunt’s recipe once. He didn’t understand how hot to make the oil and almost burned the house down.
Real fried chicken takes some practice.
In the UK, you might not be able to find good fried chicken, but I bet you can find excellent jerk meats!
they served a banana pudding…
Ooo baby!
the best pizza you’ve had came from Domino’s
Domino’s delenda est.
they served a banana pudding…
Ooo baby!
the best pizza you’ve had came from Domino’s
Domino’s delenda est.
I can now tell you that Hatties’ was delicious
there’s a place around me that does ‘Nashville’ ‘hot’ chicken (inspired by Hattie B’s, i think). it’s certainly hot. but the coating tastes like 1/8″ of solid, fried, paprika powder.
I can now tell you that Hatties’ was delicious
there’s a place around me that does ‘Nashville’ ‘hot’ chicken (inspired by Hattie B’s, i think). it’s certainly hot. but the coating tastes like 1/8″ of solid, fried, paprika powder.
Now that I’m thinking of it, the store-made fried chicken you can buy in white paper bags at my local grocery store is pretty damned good. But I haven’t had authentic homemade Southern fried chicken to compare it to.
Now that I’m thinking of it, the store-made fried chicken you can buy in white paper bags at my local grocery store is pretty damned good. But I haven’t had authentic homemade Southern fried chicken to compare it to.
GftNC mentions Calvin Trillin….
My friends and I went out of our way to get to Arthur Bryant’s Ribs in KC on a cross-half-the-country trip in 1984. I remember Trillin’s food trilogy as laughing out loud funny…maybe it’s time for a reread! That would either cheer me up or make me very very hungry. Probably both.
GftNC mentions Calvin Trillin….
My friends and I went out of our way to get to Arthur Bryant’s Ribs in KC on a cross-half-the-country trip in 1984. I remember Trillin’s food trilogy as laughing out loud funny…maybe it’s time for a reread! That would either cheer me up or make me very very hungry. Probably both.
the store-made fried chicken you can buy in white paper bags at my local grocery store is pretty damned good
You’re in the Philly orbit, I bet it actually is pretty good.
the store-made fried chicken you can buy in white paper bags at my local grocery store is pretty damned good
You’re in the Philly orbit, I bet it actually is pretty good.
Actually, I love KFC. Better than any other commercial fried chicken I have encountered.
But only the fried chicken — everything else on their menu is essentially inedible.
Actually, I love KFC. Better than any other commercial fried chicken I have encountered.
But only the fried chicken — everything else on their menu is essentially inedible.
everything else on their menu is essentially inedible.
Even the mashed potatoes? Pathetic. I have not eaten at a KFC in decades.
So, what is the recipe for real (southern) fried chicken? I’d like to give it a go.
everything else on their menu is essentially inedible.
Even the mashed potatoes? Pathetic. I have not eaten at a KFC in decades.
So, what is the recipe for real (southern) fried chicken? I’d like to give it a go.
Long time Atlanta locals still lament the loss of Deacon Burton’s Grill, which did not survive very long after the Deacon’s demise due to family squabbling. Later a gentleman who claimed to be Burton’s illegitimate child somehow came into possession of the cast iron skillets from the grill and opened a new place, next door to the former location, called Son’s. I never got around to trying it out before it closed, but was told it was pretty close to the original.
Long time Atlanta locals still lament the loss of Deacon Burton’s Grill, which did not survive very long after the Deacon’s demise due to family squabbling. Later a gentleman who claimed to be Burton’s illegitimate child somehow came into possession of the cast iron skillets from the grill and opened a new place, next door to the former location, called Son’s. I never got around to trying it out before it closed, but was told it was pretty close to the original.
Good fried chicken is available in WNY. What the damn yankees are incapable of making is decent cornbread. They put a ton of sugar in it, like they think it’s a cake. It’s not cake. It’s cornbread.
Good fried chicken is available in WNY. What the damn yankees are incapable of making is decent cornbread. They put a ton of sugar in it, like they think it’s a cake. It’s not cake. It’s cornbread.
The fried chicken at my grandmother’s home in south Georgia was the work of Daisy, the long-time “help” (succeeded, after Daisy “retired”, by her daughter Mary Jane, a kind of a Southern tradition I’m not entirely comfortable with). Daisy was also expert at making a type of fried cornbread I’ve never encountered elsewhere (except when I attempt to replicate it), golden brown discs crunchy on the edges, with a thicker center that is almost molten. A strong incentive to get near the front of the buffet line.
The fried chicken at my grandmother’s home in south Georgia was the work of Daisy, the long-time “help” (succeeded, after Daisy “retired”, by her daughter Mary Jane, a kind of a Southern tradition I’m not entirely comfortable with). Daisy was also expert at making a type of fried cornbread I’ve never encountered elsewhere (except when I attempt to replicate it), golden brown discs crunchy on the edges, with a thicker center that is almost molten. A strong incentive to get near the front of the buffet line.
For some years, when I was a kid, we used a pressure fryer to fry chicken. They’re like pressure cookers, but use oil instead of water. Steam from the water in the food creates the pressure.
When done right, it makes for very crispy chicken with tender, juicy meat.
I think KFC may use pressure fryers.
For some years, when I was a kid, we used a pressure fryer to fry chicken. They’re like pressure cookers, but use oil instead of water. Steam from the water in the food creates the pressure.
When done right, it makes for very crispy chicken with tender, juicy meat.
I think KFC may use pressure fryers.
They put a ton of sugar in it, like they think it’s a cake.
Yeah, I hate corn cake. I don’t remember ever being in any restaurant that had good cornbread, sugar or not. Most of it falls apart in your mouth and tries to choke you to death.
They put a ton of sugar in it, like they think it’s a cake.
Yeah, I hate corn cake. I don’t remember ever being in any restaurant that had good cornbread, sugar or not. Most of it falls apart in your mouth and tries to choke you to death.
in the south, we reserve our sugar for tea.
in the south, we reserve our sugar for tea.
Also, cornbread should be made with corn meal, save the wheat flour for biscuits.
Also, cornbread should be made with corn meal, save the wheat flour for biscuits.
When my daughter was a senior at UCLA she lived in an apartment in the Crenshaw neighborhood.
For Thanksgiving we visited and I was assigned to obtain groceries, including corn meal for corn bread (an essential stuffing ingredient). I was surprised to find that there was no corn meal to be had in any local store! Finally someone told me there had been a recall.
We substituted masa and it turned out to make very good corn bread, though with an unusual texture.
When my daughter was a senior at UCLA she lived in an apartment in the Crenshaw neighborhood.
For Thanksgiving we visited and I was assigned to obtain groceries, including corn meal for corn bread (an essential stuffing ingredient). I was surprised to find that there was no corn meal to be had in any local store! Finally someone told me there had been a recall.
We substituted masa and it turned out to make very good corn bread, though with an unusual texture.
I remember Trillin’s food trilogy as laughing out loud funny…maybe it’s time for a reread! That would either cheer me up or make me very very hungry. Probably both.
It is extremely funny, so will cheer you up, but it will definitely make you very hungry! I also recommend (if you haven’t already read it) his slim book about his late wife, a frequent presence in the food books, called About Alice. It’s very touching. If you have a subscription to the New Yorker you may be able to read, in their archive, the original article from which it is taken.
JanieM, I am now four and a half books through the Wrinkle in Time quintet. It turns out I had read the immediate sequel, when Meg and friends go into Charles Wallace’s mitochondria, but had forgotten. The others are sweet and fun, but all without the charge of WiT, probably beccause of when I originally read/am reading them. I think there’s a particular intensity, when you are young, in reading something with which you can identify, and smart girls could identify with Meg, and to some extent with Charles Wallace.
By the follow-ups, Meg’s mother has won the Nobel prize, so perhaps L’Engle seems to be slightly over-egging the brilliance of this family, rather as Salinger does the Glasses. It has a similar effect of making you feel a bit dubious. Also, which I had not noticed at the time, she scatters them with occasional religious references, particularly to Jesus. When I was young this didn’t ruin books for me (see Narnia et al), but I’m pretty unkeen on it now.
On the Rez has just arrived, lj, but I don’t know when I’ll read it. Will mention when I do.
I remember Trillin’s food trilogy as laughing out loud funny…maybe it’s time for a reread! That would either cheer me up or make me very very hungry. Probably both.
It is extremely funny, so will cheer you up, but it will definitely make you very hungry! I also recommend (if you haven’t already read it) his slim book about his late wife, a frequent presence in the food books, called About Alice. It’s very touching. If you have a subscription to the New Yorker you may be able to read, in their archive, the original article from which it is taken.
JanieM, I am now four and a half books through the Wrinkle in Time quintet. It turns out I had read the immediate sequel, when Meg and friends go into Charles Wallace’s mitochondria, but had forgotten. The others are sweet and fun, but all without the charge of WiT, probably beccause of when I originally read/am reading them. I think there’s a particular intensity, when you are young, in reading something with which you can identify, and smart girls could identify with Meg, and to some extent with Charles Wallace.
By the follow-ups, Meg’s mother has won the Nobel prize, so perhaps L’Engle seems to be slightly over-egging the brilliance of this family, rather as Salinger does the Glasses. It has a similar effect of making you feel a bit dubious. Also, which I had not noticed at the time, she scatters them with occasional religious references, particularly to Jesus. When I was young this didn’t ruin books for me (see Narnia et al), but I’m pretty unkeen on it now.
On the Rez has just arrived, lj, but I don’t know when I’ll read it. Will mention when I do.
I asked inter-library loan to get me Ghost Rider, but I haven’t heard back yet. Odd, because online it says that there are a couple of library copies floating around the state.
GftNC — I think the religious stuff would annoy me too if I were to reread the WiT books now. Then again, I wasn’t all that young when I read Many Waters, so maybe it would be okay.
I think I read About Alice, and I remember being touched by it, but truth to tell the memory is rather dim. I also read what I thought was Trillin’s only novel (it actually wasn’t), Tepper isn’t Going Out, and it too was fun but not that memorable.
The food books, on the other hand, were just full of stuff that has stuck with me for (gack!) forty-ish years:
— the image of Trillin eating by the light of the open refrigerator door in the middle of the night,
— Arthur Bryant’s ribs (there wasn’t a food topic that he couldn’t bring back to AB’s ribs one way or another),
— Fats Goldberg and his once- (twice-) a year binge eating in KC, and his Jewish pizza parlor in NY,
— how never to trust a restaurant named “La Maison de la Casa House,”
and on and on.
You’ve got me going; I’ve got to either dig them out of the attic or buy some copies from Abe.
Oh, and a sort of P.S., I once read a collection of his New Yorker pieces, I think the one called American Stories. As a former/occasional op-ed writer for a little paper in Maine, I can only sit in awe of his writing.
Which carries me onward: have you ever read E. B. White’s essays?
I asked inter-library loan to get me Ghost Rider, but I haven’t heard back yet. Odd, because online it says that there are a couple of library copies floating around the state.
GftNC — I think the religious stuff would annoy me too if I were to reread the WiT books now. Then again, I wasn’t all that young when I read Many Waters, so maybe it would be okay.
I think I read About Alice, and I remember being touched by it, but truth to tell the memory is rather dim. I also read what I thought was Trillin’s only novel (it actually wasn’t), Tepper isn’t Going Out, and it too was fun but not that memorable.
The food books, on the other hand, were just full of stuff that has stuck with me for (gack!) forty-ish years:
— the image of Trillin eating by the light of the open refrigerator door in the middle of the night,
— Arthur Bryant’s ribs (there wasn’t a food topic that he couldn’t bring back to AB’s ribs one way or another),
— Fats Goldberg and his once- (twice-) a year binge eating in KC, and his Jewish pizza parlor in NY,
— how never to trust a restaurant named “La Maison de la Casa House,”
and on and on.
You’ve got me going; I’ve got to either dig them out of the attic or buy some copies from Abe.
Oh, and a sort of P.S., I once read a collection of his New Yorker pieces, I think the one called American Stories. As a former/occasional op-ed writer for a little paper in Maine, I can only sit in awe of his writing.
Which carries me onward: have you ever read E. B. White’s essays?
In other news, Shkreli is guilty of securities fraud. Maximum sentence 20 years.
I doubt he’ll do that, but hopefully he’ll never be allowed to hold any position of fiduciary responsibility again.
Maybe they’ll even require him to surrender whatever money he made via fraud.
When he gets out, he can go sell ice cream on the boardwalk.
In other news, Shkreli is guilty of securities fraud. Maximum sentence 20 years.
I doubt he’ll do that, but hopefully he’ll never be allowed to hold any position of fiduciary responsibility again.
Maybe they’ll even require him to surrender whatever money he made via fraud.
When he gets out, he can go sell ice cream on the boardwalk.
Hip hip hooray on the Shkreli news! It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.
JanieM, I quite agree, the food trilogy is brilliant. Fats Goldberg was one of my faves, and the stories of the food odysseys around New Orleans and Louisiana would have had me booking a flight if only a) I thought it would still be the same and b) I could get somebody to do it with me.
Have never read E B White’s essays, nor (gasp!) Charlotte’s Web. Will chase up.
Hip hip hooray on the Shkreli news! It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.
JanieM, I quite agree, the food trilogy is brilliant. Fats Goldberg was one of my faves, and the stories of the food odysseys around New Orleans and Louisiana would have had me booking a flight if only a) I thought it would still be the same and b) I could get somebody to do it with me.
Have never read E B White’s essays, nor (gasp!) Charlotte’s Web. Will chase up.
a restaurant named “La Maison de la Casa House”
Aaaaargh! Janie, did you have to do that to me???
a restaurant named “La Maison de la Casa House”
Aaaaargh! Janie, did you have to do that to me???
Well, Shkreli was convicted on 3 of 8 counts, but the big money one he was not convicted. The consensus was it was a pretty good outcome for him and, without notoriety, it would normally draw a fine. It’s up to the judge but minimal jail and a fine would be normal, they essentially got him on some failure to disclose information that is more commonplace than his other sins.
I hate crooked CEO’s.
Well, Shkreli was convicted on 3 of 8 counts, but the big money one he was not convicted. The consensus was it was a pretty good outcome for him and, without notoriety, it would normally draw a fine. It’s up to the judge but minimal jail and a fine would be normal, they essentially got him on some failure to disclose information that is more commonplace than his other sins.
I hate crooked CEO’s.
Rump is eyeing Shkreli to head up (down) the FDA.
Rump is eyeing Shkreli to head up (down) the FDA.
I ordered the medium heat at Hattie’s and it was right in my zone. The crust was just right, with some crunch, but the juices breaking through.
People just as nice as can be.
Beans and greens very good.
I ordered the medium heat at Hattie’s and it was right in my zone. The crust was just right, with some crunch, but the juices breaking through.
People just as nice as can be.
Beans and greens very good.
D’Souza just showed up at the White House arm in arm with fascists to call me a Brownshirt.
He was overdue for a visit with his fellow sociopaths in the house I pay for.
Not linking for awhile, but TPM has the gruesome bits.
D’Souza just showed up at the White House arm in arm with fascists to call me a Brownshirt.
He was overdue for a visit with his fellow sociopaths in the house I pay for.
Not linking for awhile, but TPM has the gruesome bits.
The crust was just right, with some crunch, but the juices breaking through.
*Moans*
I’m going to find this hard to forgive, Count. This is a four-year craving you’ve reawakened.
The crust was just right, with some crunch, but the juices breaking through.
*Moans*
I’m going to find this hard to forgive, Count. This is a four-year craving you’ve reawakened.
I’ve been listening to the Korean issue on the radio as I drive.
I think we’re going to bomb them, probably nuclear, and Seoul and environs will be toast too. Rump wants it bad and I think North Korea is happy to have found another maniac who is game for mushroom clouds Actually, I think they just want recognition of one kind or another, but why not risk the human race to deny them.
But here’s how I think it goes down. We threaten to hit them. In turn China and Russia threaten to hit us with their entire nuclear capabilities. Rump the deal maker will behind the scenes make a deal with Putin to get he and his family and a few choice republican money people and his underlings in their underthings out of the country pronto to Russia, where they will live in multiple rump hotel suites.
He will launch our arsenal at Korea and China but disable the buttons aimed at Russia, as planned during the campaign last year.
The stock market will continue to soar for awhile, even as billions of human beings are vaporized, as rump will issue an executive order from the air cutting the koch’s tax rates to zero and as the remnant of the ultra rich class in their luxury bomb shelters continue to boost the Dow as the realization that all social programs can now be canceled because nearly all of the recipients will be incinerated, which they will mark down in their ledgers as overhead and inventory adjustments.
That’s roughly what’s coming, but rump will find a way to make it even worse.
We will indeed reach a world of driverless vehicles in a matter of days. Instead of straggling survivors on the road as in a Cormac McCarthey novel, millions of vehicles with no one in them will drive to and fro silently without destination or a human in sight to chamois their boring, finless fenders.
Roombas will vacuum alone until their batteries uncharge.
Auto correct will have no one left to correct.
I’ve been listening to the Korean issue on the radio as I drive.
I think we’re going to bomb them, probably nuclear, and Seoul and environs will be toast too. Rump wants it bad and I think North Korea is happy to have found another maniac who is game for mushroom clouds Actually, I think they just want recognition of one kind or another, but why not risk the human race to deny them.
But here’s how I think it goes down. We threaten to hit them. In turn China and Russia threaten to hit us with their entire nuclear capabilities. Rump the deal maker will behind the scenes make a deal with Putin to get he and his family and a few choice republican money people and his underlings in their underthings out of the country pronto to Russia, where they will live in multiple rump hotel suites.
He will launch our arsenal at Korea and China but disable the buttons aimed at Russia, as planned during the campaign last year.
The stock market will continue to soar for awhile, even as billions of human beings are vaporized, as rump will issue an executive order from the air cutting the koch’s tax rates to zero and as the remnant of the ultra rich class in their luxury bomb shelters continue to boost the Dow as the realization that all social programs can now be canceled because nearly all of the recipients will be incinerated, which they will mark down in their ledgers as overhead and inventory adjustments.
That’s roughly what’s coming, but rump will find a way to make it even worse.
We will indeed reach a world of driverless vehicles in a matter of days. Instead of straggling survivors on the road as in a Cormac McCarthey novel, millions of vehicles with no one in them will drive to and fro silently without destination or a human in sight to chamois their boring, finless fenders.
Roombas will vacuum alone until their batteries uncharge.
Auto correct will have no one left to correct.
Stephen Miller, whose elite genes certainly didn’t prevent baldness, called correspondent Jim Acosta “cosmopolitan” repeatedly in their dust up over the Statue of Liberty poem.
You can read Nancy Latourneau (my autocorrect faked an orgasm three times before letting me spell that approximately) discussing it over at Washington monthly.
Cosmopolitan. Goebbels and Stalin had fun with that word I recall.
I’m telling you, these ilk are budding mass murderers, unless they are dealt with by savage means.
Jim Acosta should have slapped that cuck’s surly fascist gob then and there.
Because Acosta’s vehicle may be driverless in the near future for reasons other than technological advancement.
Some enterprising liberals need to remove the Lady in the harbor, float her out to sea and scuttle her. Or give her to Canada.
As an act of patriotism to counter America the full of beautiful beautiful shit.
Stephen Miller, whose elite genes certainly didn’t prevent baldness, called correspondent Jim Acosta “cosmopolitan” repeatedly in their dust up over the Statue of Liberty poem.
You can read Nancy Latourneau (my autocorrect faked an orgasm three times before letting me spell that approximately) discussing it over at Washington monthly.
Cosmopolitan. Goebbels and Stalin had fun with that word I recall.
I’m telling you, these ilk are budding mass murderers, unless they are dealt with by savage means.
Jim Acosta should have slapped that cuck’s surly fascist gob then and there.
Because Acosta’s vehicle may be driverless in the near future for reasons other than technological advancement.
Some enterprising liberals need to remove the Lady in the harbor, float her out to sea and scuttle her. Or give her to Canada.
As an act of patriotism to counter America the full of beautiful beautiful shit.
Well, Shkreli was convicted on 3 of 8 counts
works for me
without notoriety, it would normally draw a fine
that’s why it’s a good idea to not be a jerk.
who knows, maybe he’ll skate. wouldn’t be the first time.
Well, Shkreli was convicted on 3 of 8 counts
works for me
without notoriety, it would normally draw a fine
that’s why it’s a good idea to not be a jerk.
who knows, maybe he’ll skate. wouldn’t be the first time.
“Works for me”
Better than zero.
“Works for me”
Better than zero.
You’ll want to read the Michael Lewis article in Vanity Fair on the department of energy, umm, transition.
Then either slit your own throats, or more productivity, corner the nearest fucking republican near you, grab them by the lapels, and get in their faces and tell them look what you have done you pigfucking anti-American filth.
Pure fucking Evil.
You’ll want to read the Michael Lewis article in Vanity Fair on the department of energy, umm, transition.
Then either slit your own throats, or more productivity, corner the nearest fucking republican near you, grab them by the lapels, and get in their faces and tell them look what you have done you pigfucking anti-American filth.
Pure fucking Evil.
Rod Dreher at the American Conservative confirms the horrific facts in the Lewis article.
Of course, if Dreher finds tomorrow that there is an lgbt individual transitioning at DOE, then he’ll find something to like in the humiliation and damage the rump vermin are executing at the agency.
Rod Dreher at the American Conservative confirms the horrific facts in the Lewis article.
Of course, if Dreher finds tomorrow that there is an lgbt individual transitioning at DOE, then he’ll find something to like in the humiliation and damage the rump vermin are executing at the agency.
Better than zero.
my sentiments exactly
Better than zero.
my sentiments exactly
You read the Lewis article, and you (or at least I) have two reactions.
1) It’s appalling that the new administration shows no inclination to get people appointed to run DoE.
2) It may be just as well that they don’t, considering the kind of people that seem likely to get chosen.
Bluntly, we may be better off having an invaluable national resource wither away than we would be having malicious idiots deliberately wreaking destruction.
You read the Lewis article, and you (or at least I) have two reactions.
1) It’s appalling that the new administration shows no inclination to get people appointed to run DoE.
2) It may be just as well that they don’t, considering the kind of people that seem likely to get chosen.
Bluntly, we may be better off having an invaluable national resource wither away than we would be having malicious idiots deliberately wreaking destruction.